Champion Travis Traylor Jr.

Champion Travis Traylor, Jr. was born in Houston, Texas on December 19, 1923 at St. Joseph Hospital and died at his home on September 9, 2022.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Anne Pirtle Traylor, his father, Champion Travis Traylor, his mother, Albertine Wilson Traylor, his sister, Catheryn Morris, and his beloved brother-in-law, Robert De Quincy Morris.

He is survived by his daughters Elizabeth Josey Toler and her husband Tim, Catherine Traylor Hoffman, Earl P. Hoffman, Susan Traylor Boelsche and her husband Bob, and son Champion Travis Traylor, III and wife Mimi.

Travis is also survived by his grandchildren: Autumn Davidson and her husband Mike, Dr. Robert Josey and his wife Mari, Jennifer Josey and her husband Jonathan Vacca, Courtney Talkington and her husband Matt, Christopher Hoffman, Megan Fehn and her husband David, Matthew Boelsche and his wife Alison, Brian Boelsche and his wife Elizabeth, Travis Traylor and his wife Julie, and Philip Traylor and his wife Jessica.  

He is also survived by his great grandchildren: Blake Davidson and his wife Chandler, Will Davidson, Wyatt Davidson, Taylor Josey, Lila Josey, Travis Josey, Hazel Fehn, Evelyn Fehn, Stella Fehn, Wells Boelsche, Carter Boelsche, Quinn Traylor and Luke Traylor.

Travis attended Wharton Elementary School, Lanier Junior High School and Mirabeau B. Lamar High School. He attended Westminster College in Fulton Missouri where he joined Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He attended the University of Houston and graduated from the School of Business with a BBA. He joined the United States Navy in 1942 and was discharged in 1946.

Travis started his business career in Mortgage Banking with American General Investment Corporation. In 1952, he organized the Union Mortgage Investment Company with two other partners. He merged Union Mortgage with First Mortgage Company of Texas where he later became Chairman and CEO and Chairman and CEO of First General Realty Company. Travis stayed active in the world of real estate investments throughout his entire life.

He was founder of Parkway National Bank, Texas Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trust, Clear Lake Savings Association and was the owner of Robinson Traylor Insurance Agency.  Travis served as President of The Houston Mortgage Bankers Association, The Texas Mortgage Bankers Association and was a member of the Board of Mortgage Bankers Association of Texas. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the TMBA.

Travis was active on the Board of Trustees of Westminster for 40 years, where he received the Alumni Achievement Award. He was also a member on the Board of Trustees of William Woods College, the University of Houston School of Business, where he received the Distinguished Alumni Award.

He was active in the Boy Scouts of America for over 83 years. He served as President of the Sam Houston Council, President of the Area and the Region and was also a Vice President. He received the Silver Beaver Award, the Silver Antelope Award, the Silver Buffalo Award and the distinguished Eagle Scout Award.

What an incredible man Travis was. He was extraordinary with an innate kindness, gentleness and goodness that touched many people. He was blessed to have such a rich and fulfilling life. He was an avid sportsman and hunted and fished much of his adult life. Travis and Anne had homes in the Vail Valley for over 40 years, where they entertained friends and family. He traveled all over the world, but his favorite place was at home or in Colorado with his family. He always reinforced how important family was and to always be close to each other. We all tried to live up to that standard and were blessed to call him our father.

We would like to thank Chris Eklund, Bertha Webb, Lettie Barrigan and Martir Nolasco for their many years of service.

A private graveside service will be held at Glenwood Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at St. John the Divine Chapel 2450 River Oaks Boulevard on September 16, 2022 at eleven o’clock in the morning, with The Rev. Reagan Cocke officiating. A reception will be held in the Parish Hall following the service.