Oct. 15, 1958, in Coon Rapids, Minn., on a cold day Robert and Martha Mishnick welcomed their new son, Todd Allen Mishnick. Born a blue baby with little chance of survival, Todd quickly showed everyone what a fighter he was as he defied the odds and made a full recovery. His survival instincts and desire to live life on his terms were apparent from day one, and would go on to define who he was and what he stood for. 

Martha was a loving, kind, faithful mother, wife, and waitress. Robert was a salesman and artist. Robert’s work took him, his wife, and their four kids, Gail, Mark, Todd, and Lynn, out of Minnesota to Maryland, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and eventually, Sierra Blanca, Texas. 

In 1976 when Robert’s time in Sierra Blanca was over and the family was moving to Bridgeport, Todd decided to stay in Sierra Blanca to finish high school. He lived in a trailer next to the gas station where he worked. Todd spent his last few years of high school playing football, working, hunting, fishing, and trying to capture the attention of Raquel Urbina. Raquel caught Todd’s eye early on, and once he won her and her family over, he never looked back. 

Todd graduated from Sierra Blanca High School in 1977, and wasted no time marrying Raquel on Sept. 23, 1978. Their family grew by one the following year when they welcomed Todd, Jr. “Toddie”. 

The birth of Toddie was the start of Todd and Raquel’s journey as parents and eventually grandparents. Raising Toddie, Nicole, and Kyle was Todd’s proudest accomplishment.  You could find Todd in the stands at the show barn, rodeo circuit, football field, and Special Olympics, cheering on his kids. He was connected with his family in a special way, and was known to call them before a big game or ride to share insight into what he felt was going to happen. He also ran a tight ship at home, and the kids knew things better be in order when dad came home to inspect.  

Eventually parenting turned into grandparenting when Toddie and Boofy started a family. Todd embraced being a papo the same way he lived life - all in, and in his own way. His time spent with Toni and Brodi (Alex) was outdoors, fishing, hunting, dancing, watching them play ball, and most recently jumping off a rope swing into the river, declaring “love all” (his signature phrase), right before he hit the water. 

Todd enjoyed trapping and hunting from the age of five, and by 18 he turned it into a career, becoming the youngest troubleshooter in the State of Texas. He spent 20 years as a government trapper. During this time, his grit and determination showed up on multiple occasions. 

Two of the most memorable were when he fell out of a helicopter, and when he was accidentally shot. The helicopter accident occurred when Todd was shooting predators, and the safety belt broke. He fell from a height of two telephone poles and ended up with only a fractured pelvis.  When asked about the incident he said, “Accidents just happen.”  The accidental shooting happened after Todd had been working in the river trapping beavers. Unbeknown to him, his holster dry rotted, allowing his gun to dislodge a few days later when he was jumping from rock to rock in a canyon checking lion traps. He managed to crawl out of the canyon, bleeding from his ankle, and made it to the ranch road where he found Red Paschal, a local rancher. Red gave Todd a ride to the clinic, and while Todd was thankful for the ride, he always said, “Red could have driven a little faster.” 

Todd eventually started his own business, T&M’s Predator Control that allowed him to do what he loved, where he wanted, when he wanted, and how he wanted. He went on to place third and first in the North American Coyote Trapping Championship, and was named Texas Trapper of the Year.

When the oilfield boom started in the early 2000s, the demand for trappers decreased, while the demand for oilfield workers increased. Todd pivoted, and joined the oilfield.  He worked as a welder’s helper, yard manager, and safety inspector. However, his trapping blood ran deep, and even in the oilfield, he was known as “Trapper.” In 2018 Todd left the oilfield, focused on the pomegranate orchard, and returned to his roots, trapping at The Ranch in San Angelo.   

Crooked Orchard Farm was started by Todd and Raquel in 2011 with 40 trees. Over the course of 10 years, it grew to over 450 trees. Todd dug every hole by hand, and ran the water lines. He left the mowing to his Raquel. Harvest was a team effort with the whole family, including Nicole, chipping in. If you asked Todd about digging holes by hand at his age he would tell you, “I’m only 25 young at heart.”

Todd loved people, and made friends everywhere he went. To know him was to love him, and one thing was always certain - Todd was Todd. He didn’t waiver or change based on his surroundings or company. You could count on Todd to give you honest feedback, and everyone that has met him has a Todd story or memory to share. 

Todd spoke Spanish, a talent he often kept quiet so he could see people’s reactions when he joined the conversation with “y este tambien.” 

Todd loved music, and often had multiple devices playing at the same time (60s and 70s oldies were his favorite). He also loved to cook outside on the fire pit. Whenever Todd cooked outside, family and friends knew to get comfortable because by the time he let the fire burn down, added a log, drank another beer, and let the grill get “just right,” dinner would be ready no earlier than 10 p.m. Speaking of drinking a beer, those close to him knew Budweiser was his beer of choice. He even purchased stock in Budweiser, but could never bring himself to cash them in and give up his ownership.  

February 15, 2021, Todd, trapper, wildlife specialist, animal whisperer, bird watcher, mountain man, gardner, uncle, brother, father, papo, husband, and friend to all checked his last trap in San Angelo, and moved on to trap new fields and ranches with the Creator Himself at the “big ranch.”  Look for him helping Moses, David, and Jacob tend to their flocks, checking his traps, dancing with his sister Gail who preceded him in death, and making friends with everyone. 

You’ll recognize him by his long, dirty-blond hair and signature bandana around his neck. He will greet you with a hug and handshake, and when you ask how he feels he will simply respond “Like a brand new penny.”