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.