Travis Neal Hergert

Travis Neal Hergert, 100, of Liberal passed away on Sunday, July 25,

2021.

He was born in Liberal, KS on Dec 16, 1920, to Neal and Esther (Rayl)

Hergert. Travis had one younger sister, Frances (Jay) Johnson and

younger brother, Don (Lila) Hergert. After their dad died when Travis

was 12, they moved to California, returning to Beaver, OK area when

Travis was 14. He graduated from Beaver High School. He then joined the

Army, serving in the 5th armored division and reached his goal for

qualifying for the elite Army Air Corp program shortly before the end of

WWII. He had a lifelong interest in airplanes and built several Cessnas

and Mooneys. After discharge from the Army he worked in the oilfields

and as a millwright. On November 27, 1949, he married Thelma Jean

Denton. He owned and operated Hergert Repair until 1995.

Travis and Jean have three children; Lori, Krista and Conrad. In the 50s

& 60s, he built and sponsored a jalopy car and the family enjoyed nights

at the races. He kept the family in cars over the years and we all

relied on his ability to fix anything. He was especially gifted in

matching and applying flawless car paint. Travis had a remarkable memory

for highways, rivers, and railroads. He had a wide general knowledge and

interest in the world. He loved to travel and family vacations were

always westward ho as he believed there was nothing good east of the

Mississippi. He always claimed to have had a great life of adventure and

he was proud of their family.

While never discouraging Jean’s deep faith in Christ, Travis remained

skeptical until shortly after his 100th birthday when the Holy Spirit

moved him to begin a Bible study with Jean. On April 1, 2021, he

professed belief in Jesus Christ as his savior and was baptized into the

family of Christ.

He is survived by wife, Jean, daughters Lori (Steve) Myrick, Krista

(Rick) Cooper, and Conrad (Christy) Hergert. Their grandchildren are

Rebecca Wagner, Kate (Bob) Diehl, Tyler (Jessica) Cooper, Kendall

Cooper, Ryan Hergert, Echo (Corbin) Garcia, and Candice Kline. They have

15 great grandchildren. Though we mourn his death, we celebrate knowing

we will see him again in Heaven.

Travis would say, “The main thing is don’t get excited”.

A Visitation will be held Thursday, July 29th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at

Miller Mortuary with the family present to greet friends.

A Private Family Graveside Service will be held.

Friends may send condolences to the family through Travis’ tribute web

page at www.millermortuary.net.