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Paul and Tammy Mockbee
Tammy and Paul Mockbee have been selected as the Grand Marshals for the 2016 Oaks Festival.
The Mockbees have lived in Oracle over 20 years and have been active in the community and helping others.
Tammy has been riding and working with horses since she was four years old. She was working at the Miraval Spa and Resort as a riding instructor, horse trainer and a teacher of equestrian classes. At Miraval, she met Patty Green. This chance meeting and a mutual love of horses brought Tammy and Patty Green together. An overwhelming desire to help others brought Little Hooves and Big Hearts into existence. LHBH is a therapy program for mentally and physically handicapped kids that uses miniature “therapy” horses. The program has provided therapy to children living with disabilities in the Tri-Community, at no charge. Standing waist-high to a grown up, miniature horses are taken directly into nursing homes, children’s clinics and hospitals.
Paul worked 24 years for Texas Instruments. He currently works for Ventana Medical and is the wrangler and maintenance manager for Little Hooves and Big Hearts.
Little Hooves and Big Hearts
Paul was born in Missouri and moved from California to Tucson when he was 13. Tammy was born in Texas and grew up in what is now Continental Ranch in Marana, Arizona. When they were teenagers, they met at Casas Adobes Church and their friendship grew from there.
Tammy said it was through the love of her horses that “Paul melted my heart” and to this day they continue to enjoy (the horses).
They were married four years later.
Tammy was familiar with Oracle as a child. Tammy and her parents enjoyed themselves exploring Peppersauce Canyon and the Oracle area. When Tammy’s parents decided to retire to Oracle, Paul and Tammy chose to move to Oracle with their two baby daughters Diana and Bethany.
In 1987, they purchased some land and began building a custom home by hand with Tammy’s father. It was a slow process, working weekends and after work to get the house built. Tammy said that “a huge joy in their lives is spending time with our six grandchildren, with the seventh one on the way in July.”
After moving to Oracle they spent several years as 4-H leaders and are heavily involved in their church. They have always made community outreach and helping others an important part of their lives. You will often see Paul and Tammy around Oracle, riding their horses or driving in a wagon, a pastime they have enjoyed since their youth and share with their friends and family.
Congratulations Paul and Tammy on being named the 2016 Oracle Oaks Festival Grand Marshals and thank you for your “Big Hearts” in caring for others and making your community a better place.
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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