Breckenridge icon Tommy Wimberley leaves legacy of hard work, dedication to community

December 07

14:37 2025

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By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

If you’ve lived in Breckenridge for even just a little while, you’ve likely come across Tommy Wimberley in one way or another. If you’re in the construction or real estate business or are in any way responsible for spending tax dollars, you’re almost certain to have known Tommy, who died on Monday, Dec. 1, at the age of 88.

Even those people who have driven by the old, lighted oil derrick on West Walker or who have shopped at one of the businesses in the “Breckenridge Marketplace” shopping center, where Tractor Supply and Dollar Tree are, have seen his influence on the Breckenridge community. And, if you’ve been to the local McDonald’s restaurant in recent years, you’re likely to have seen Tommy and several of his friends enjoying a cup of coffee at a table in the back.

Tommy Wimberley, right, along with Carl Huffman and Wimberley’s grandsons, Coby Wimberley and Josh Patterson, move the base of the vintage oil derrick in 2021. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Breckenridge Texan Publisher Tony Pilkington and I interviewed Tommy several times and have had dozens, if not hundreds, of more casual conversations with him over the years. One thing that always stood out to me about Tommy was that he knew he had fans and he knew he had some not-so-fans. But, regardless of whether or not a particular project was going to make him friends or not, Tommy did what he thought was right.

Tommy was born in Stephens County and lived most of his life here, except for a stint in the U.S. Air Force and a couple of years in Abilene, where he learned to be an electrician. In fact, it would be fair to say that Tommy didn’t just live here, he worked most of his life here, starting his first job — washing beer and root beer mugs at a local restaurant — when he was just 7 years old. He continued working throughout his entire life, including running an electrical and air conditioning contracting business and buying and developing land in the community. In a 2014 interview, Tommy described how his development projects included convenience stores, drug stores and the original Walmart location, where Tractor Supply and Dollar Tree are now.

On Friday evening, Dec. 5, two of Tommy Wimberley’s grandsons, Cody Wimberley and Josh Patterson, installed a new flag on top of their grandfather’s vintage oil derrick in the 2100 block of West Walker Street. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Although age might have slowed him down a bit, it certainly didn’t stop Tommy. In his 70s, Tommy built the Buffalo RV Park that is now the KOA campground in Breckenridge, and when he was almost 84, he was hands-on involved in the moving of his oil derrick from that RV park to its current location next to Ken’s Chicken and Fish.

He bought the oil derrick 25 years ago and originally had it installed in downtown Breckenridge in the vacant space next door to where Neri’s restaurant is now. Tommy said the oil derrick was likely built in the late 1920s or early 1930s and was one of the last — if not the last — oil rigs of its kind in the county. He found it laying on its side in a pasture east of town and bought it to preserve it due to Breckenridge’s oil boom history. In 2015, he moved the oil derrick to the RV park and outfitted it with lights.

In 2021, he moved it once again, a few blocks to the east. Later that year, Tommy held a dedication ceremony for the oil derrick, once it was reassembled and lighted at the new location, in the 2100 block of West Walker Street. He dedicated the derrick to the memory of his son, Wendell “Wimp” Wimberley, who died in November 2021, and to the local community.

At the dedication ceremony, Tommy said, “I hope this is something the county and the city can enjoy long after I’m gone. I’m going to put a dedication plaque on this for Wimp, and then I’m going to dedicate it to the city and the county and the citizens. Anybody who wants to come out here and look at it and take pictures, they’re welcome to come out here anytime they want to.”

This week, some of his grandsons gathered at the oil derrick to replace the American flag at the top.

Although he was active in the community in a variety of ways, Tommy steered clear of politics after losing a bid for City Commission many years ago. After that, he confined his political involvement to voicing his opinions about what elected officials were doing, occasionally campaigning against what he considered to be bad plans for spending bond funds or tax money.

Breckenridge resident and business owner Tommy Wimberley, center, talked to the City Commission in 2022 about several issues he’s concerned about, including the condition of city streets. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Tommy learned his work ethic from his father, who taught him that it was better to work for what he needed than to take handouts. But that didn’t mean that Tommy wasn’t a charitable person. He was known for helping out, especially, little children and old people, supporting the local Meals on Wheels program, assisting with the Stephens County Child Welfare Board’s annual Child Abuse Awareness display, donating to the museum, and more.

In that 2014 interview, which was published in the “Senior Times” publication, Tommy said he’d like to be remembered this way: “I’m very patriotic. I believe in the Constitution of the United States. I believe in the people of Breckenridge. I think we’ve got some absolutely wonderful people in Breckenridge. If you don’t believe it, have something bad happen to you, and you’ll find out how many good people we got in Breckenridge. In everyday life, you might not realize how many good people we got. But, if we have any kind of catastrophe, then all the good comes out in all the good people in Breckenridge, and you’ll find it out.”

Tommy Wimberley’s graveside service will be held at Breckenridge Cemetery on Monday, Dec. 8, beginning at 12:30 p.m., with Bob Summer and Paul Lippe officiating. The family will welcome friends for a visitation at Melton-Kitchens Chapel of Memories on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 5 to 6 p.m. Click here to read his full obituary.

Cody Wimberley and Josh Patterson install a new flag atop Tommy Wimberley’s vintage oil derrick on Friday, Dec. 5. Tommy originally installed the derrick in downtown Breckenridge; in 2015 it was moved to the Buffalo RV Park, and in 2021 it was moved to its current location. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Tommy Wimberley and his wife, Sharon, pose for a photo at the a dedication and lighting ceremony for the oil derrick that Tommy had installed on West Walker Street in 2021. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Click the following links to read some of the Breckenridge Texan’s previous articles about Tommy Wimberley: