The Texas Beekeepers Association’s purpose is to promote the common interests, the betterment of conditions, and the general welfare of beekeeping. We have a long-standing tradition of honoring beekeepers and those that contribute to the industry through awards given to individuals who embody this mission.
Each award recognizes a different area of our industry as well as individual missions that promote the general welfare of beekeeping.
Lifetime Memberships
Awarded for Meritorious Service to the Texas Beekeepers Association
2023 – Jimmie & Kay Oakley
2022 – None awarded
2021 – Gene “E.T.” Ash & Jane Packard, Mike Hatch, Myra Smith
2020 – Beth Derr, Ron Gumm & Dennis M. Herbert
2019 – Timothy S. Elliott
2018 – Myrta Kaye Brouse & Leesa Hyder
2017 – Bill D. Baxter, Dick Counts & Weldon Riggs
2016 – Stanford S. Brantley, Chris & Shirley Doggett, James Garner, John J. Talbert & John G. & Janice Thomas
President’s Award
This award recognizes an individual or several individuals, deemed by the TBA president to have made such a singular contribution to TBA and the Texas Beekeeping Industry as to have earned this recognition.
Jim Petty “Beekeeper of the Year”
This award was established in 1974 by Mary Petty in memory of her husband, Jim Petty, who was killed in an accident involving a truckload of bees. He was a well-liked, highly respected beekeeper in the state of Texas. The award is given to a member of Texas Beekeepers Association for outstanding service to the professional beekeeping industry.
John G. Thomas Meritorious Service Award
This award is given to a non-commercial beekeeper, researcher, regulator, industry or individual who has had a major impact on TBA and the Texas bee community.
| Year | President’s Award | Jim Petty “Beekeeper of the Year” | John G. Thomas Meritorious Service |
| 2023 | Julie Haza & Leesa Hyder | Gary Barber | Weldon Riggs |
| 2022 | Dodie Stillman & Barbi Rose | Charlie Agar | Michael Kelling |
| 2021 | Rebecca Vaughan | Gene “E.T.” Ash | Mary Reed |
| 2020 | Mike Hatch | Chuck Reburn & Tanya Phillips | Juliana Rangel |
| 2019 | Roger Farr | Ashley Ralph | Tim Elliott |
| 2018 | Ashley Ralph | Blake Shook | Leesa Hyder |
| 2017 | Leesa Hyder | – | Harrison Rogers |
| 2016 | James & Chari Elam | – | Lisa Dittfurth |
| 2015 | Shirley Doggett | – | Shirley Doggett |
| 2014 | Mark Hedley | Chris Moore | Chris Doggett |
| 2013 | Chris Doggett | Blake Shook | Vi Bourns |
| 2012 | – | Todd Youngblood | Ed Priest |
| 2011 | – | John Talbert | Lavada Talbert |
| 2010 | Monica Delisa | Beth Walker | Henry Graham |
| 2009 | Chad Wootton | Elbert Youngblood Jr. | Janice Thomas |
| 2008 | Shirley Acevedo | Joan Coplin | Shirley Acevedo |
| 2007 | – | Henry Graham | Stanford S. Brantley |
| 2006 | Joan Coplin | Mark Brady | Kay Oakley |
| 2005 | – | Todd Youngblood | Dick Counts |
| 2004 | Ernest Caldwell | Ted Vance | Joan Coplin |
| 2003 | G.C. Walker II | Danny Bounds | Clarence Shepard |
| 2002 | David Grinnan | Clint Walker III | Ted Vance |
| 2001 | – | Ernest Caldwell | Mrs. Dean Brittingham |
| 2000 | Dean & James Brittingham | Randy Johnson | Jimmie Oakley & Linda Smith |
| 1999 | Jimmie Oakley | A.J. Fucik | Dave & Debbie Grinnan |
| 1998 | Jack Padgett | Glenn Mace | Dr. Frank Eischen |
| 1997 | Janice & Dr. John G. Thomas | Mark Brady | John Talbert |
| 1996 | Dr. Frank Eischen | Moina Maserang | Robert Hutchinson |
| 1995 | Margie Coplin | Morris Weaver | Barbara Corbin |
| 1994 | Henry Graham | L. John Milam | Travis Lane |
| 1993 | Rep. Renato Cuellar | O.T. Stroope | Carole Booth |
| 1992 | Dr. Foden Maxwell | E.L. Walker | Dr. John G. Thomas |
| 1991 | Glenn Mace | Elbert Youngblood Sr. | |
| 1990 | Dr. William T. Wilson | Mel & Margie Coplin | |
| 1989 | Dr. John G. Thomas | ||
| 1988 | Howard Weaver & Sons | ||
| 1987 | Mary Petty | ||
| 1986 | Roy S. Weaver Jr. | ||
| 1985 | Curtis Meier | ||
| 1984 | Charles Engle | ||
| 1983 | Binford Weaver | ||
| 1982 | Howard Weaver | ||
| 1981 | G.C. Walker II | ||
| 1980 | Richard Harkey | ||
| 1979 | Steve Coplin | ||
| 1978 | Loys O. Milam | ||
| 1977 | Walter Barth | ||
| 1976 | Roy S. Weaver Sr. |