Obit: Travis Henderson (Kenny Rogers bandmate)

Subject: Obit: Travis Henderson (Kenny Rogers bandmate)
From: Scoville
Date: 09 Mar 06 - 08:59 AM

Nobody famous, but a musician nonetheless. I read the obituaries every morning as part of my job (looking for dead doctors to add to the medical center records, but never mind). This morning I found this instead:



From the Houston Chronicle newspaper:

TRAVIS LEON HENDERSON At the age of 69, after several years of fighting with the after effects of diabetes and massive stroke in 2000, Travis left us on Tuesday, March 7th 2006 to be with his Lord and family, who were awaiting his arrival. He knew that his Mother was waiting for him to hold her hand once again. Travis was born at home in the Heights on October 18, 1936 to William Lynn and Ruth Louise Henderson. He grew up in the Heights and attended Baptist Temple and Reagan High School. As a teenager, he followed in his Father's footsteps (Lynn Henderson and The Bar X Cowboys) in 1954 forming his own band, Travis Henderson and the Circle T Cowboys. Members of the Band were Beal Finch, Charles Barnhill, Douglas Alberts and Kenneth Rogers. He loved Country Music and playing the Base Fiddle. He especially loved sharing the stories of Kenny Rogers being in his band and always coming to his house for dinner on Sundays. Also Kenny telling him that he was responsible for Kenny being `discovered when they played the opening of Hobby Airport'. Travis also followed his Father to work at Houston Natural Gas Company. He decided to go into business for himself leaving the Gas Company in 1964 and started a Wrecker Service. Later he purchased A & A Wrecker Service and operated it until 1996 when he had his first stroke. Travis leaves behind his wife, soul mate and best friend, Barbara (Bobbi), children Nancy and Wayne Gabany, Joseph and Laurie Henderson, Edward and Andrea Henderson and the real joy and love of his life his grandchildren, Erica Leigh , Heather Lynn, Dustan Cade, William Garrett, Jacob Travis, Victoria Ruth, Julianna Rose, Jacob Wayne, Jenna Elaine and Matthew Ryan. Also, Travis leaves behind his sister who he loved very dearly, Joyce and her husband, Dan Hanna, his beloved Uncle Mac (Vernon McAlpine), his nieces, Cindy and Terri, and nephew Jim, several grand nieces and nephews, a number of cousins and his sister-in-law, Pat Domingo and extended family in California. Travis enjoyed visits and calls from Joanne who always made him laugh. Everyone who ever met Travis fell in love with him. We will miss him greatly! Travis, Bobbi and children would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to Joanne, Butch, Henry, Miles, Shirley and especially Ethel Harris (his caregiver) for the assistance and extension of love over the last 5 years. Services will be held on Thursday, March 9th 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at Pat H. Foley Funeral Directors, 1200 W. 34th. St. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to TIRR (Texas Institute for Research and Rehabilitation.