Travis Leon Simpson, age 88, passed away on Nov 19, 2016 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Travis was born May 12, 1928, in the lumber-mill town of Alickchi, Okla., to Henry Jack and Buena Mae Simpson. His family moved to Dierks, Ark., where he played high school football and then attended the University of Arkansas on an athletic scholarship for football. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Minor in Mathematics, Travis joined the United States Air Force. His first assignment was at Ellington AFB, Houston, TX in June 1951, where met and married Joy (Jackson) Simpson in June 1954. His postings as an Air Force officer took him around the country, to Japan, and then back to school to study electrical engineering at Texas Tech. Because athletics was always in his blood, while he was a student he also worked as an assistant football coach for Texas Tech. Thus he led three lives: college student, football coach, and Air Force officer; all while being the father of 4 young children.
After receiving the B.S.E.E. degree from Tech in 1964, he moved to Washington, DC and then Kirkland AFB in Albuquerque, NM, where he served as the Chief of the Missiles, Space, and Communications Branch. In 1971 Col. Simpson retired from the Air Force and returned to Texas Tech to join the staff of the Electrical Engineering Department. As an experienced administrator and a Professional Engineer, he collaborated with faculty members, brought new research projects and equipment, taught classes, and served the department in numerous other ways. He retired from Tech in 1993; in 2003 Travis was awarded membership in the Texas Tech Electrical Engineering Academy.
During Travis’ life experiences and his many travels he developed deep friendships which he has treasured for a lifetime. He is known for his joy of giving and his Christian faith. By his children Travis (Dad) was recognized as tough, demanding, and set high standards, yet he always supported their efforts and was a very loving, generous dad.
Those left behind to cherish his memory are: his wife, Joy; 4 children; Vicki Sweetman, Leslie (and Larry) Olson, Travis (and Carol) Simpson and Scott (and Milagros) Simpson; 8 grandchildren; and 5 great grandchildren; his sister, Jackie Dyer and her family as well as Nancy Travenia, his caregiver for over 5 years.
The family would like to thank all the loving friends that have visited through the years, the thoughtful caregivers that have been a part of our lives in the recent years and the support of our Christ Lutheran Church family.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church on Friday, November 25, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. located at 7801 Indiana Ave, Lubbock, TX. A time of visitation will be held on Friday, November 25, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Travis Simpson Scholarship Fund (College of Engineering, Texas Tech University), Samaritan’s Purse or Hospice of Lubbock.
Please celebrate the life of Travis by visiting at www.combestfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
