Travis Roberts

James Travis Roberts Jr. peacefully passed away after a brief illness surrounded by family on Thursday, June 3rd, 2021. Travis was born in Alpine, Texas on May 11, 1937, to James Travis Roberts Sr. and Pauline Roberts. He was raised in Marathon, Texas and grew up working alongside his brothers on the family ranch and the Catto Gage Ranch. He attended Texas A&M College where he was a proud member of the Fightin Aggie Band and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. After college, he served as a Lieutenant in the US Army Corps of Engineers and Reserves. After a short stint with the Texas Highways Department, he began his lifelong career with Hunter Associates as a Professional Engineer and Registered Surveyor. He designed and helped develop many of the cities around the North Texas area. Following retirement, he returned full time to the Maravillas Creek Ranch, just South of Marathon, Texas where he continued to serve the area doing engineering and surveying work and enjoying ranch life.

His lifelong passion was the history of Texas, specifically the Southwest Region and Brewster County. He served as chairman on the Brewster County Historical Commission and Center for Big Bend Studies Advisory Board. He was Past President of the West Texas Historical Association and was on the board of Preservation Texas. He was a member of the Marathon Museum Board, and Cemetery Association as well as many other associations related to history and engineering.
He was awarded the George Christian Award for Outstanding Volunteer of the Year from the Texas Historical Commission, the Sammy Baugh Award for Outstanding Service from Sul Ross University and received a letter of commendation from the Governor for 50 years of Outstanding Service to the State of Texas as a Professional Engineer.

Travis was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John Roberts. He is survived by his sister Betty Hargus of Ft. Stockton and his brother Ike Roberts of Marathon. He is also survived by his son, James Travis Roberts III and wife Katie of Sanderson and daughter, Teresa (Terri) Ann Harkey and husband Alan of McKinney. One of his proudest accomplishments was his grandsons, Travis John Roberts, William Taylor Roberts, Jesse Laredo Roberts, Christopher Alan Harkey and Andrew James Harkey.

The family has requested in Lieu of flowers, a donation be made in Travis Roberts' name to the Brewster County Historical Commission - PO Box 1630 Alpine, TX 79830 or The Friends of the Center for Big Bend Studies - Box C-71 Sul Ross State University Alpine, TX 79832.

Graveside service - Marathon Cemetery, Sunday, June 13, 1:00 pm
Celebration of Life - Fort Pena Colorado Park (The Post) Marathon, Sunday, June 13 2:00 pm




Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.heritagefuneralhomeofthebigbend.com