June 15, 1936 ~ January 6, 2023 (age 86)
James Thomas Traweek of Stephenville, Texas, went home to our Lord, surrounded by his loved ones on January 6, 2023. He was 86 years of age.
James is survived by his wife of 9 years, Sharon Baum Traweek, and his 4 children: Elizabeth Ann Albrecht (David), Cynthia Eileen Grafe (Paul), James Richard (Ricky) Traweek (Stephanie) and John Randolph Traweek (Marlene). Grandchildren: Amanda, Ashley, Richard, Stephanie, Phillip, Rachael, Grayson, Tyler, Heather, Jordan and Dylan, and 10 Great grandchildren.
James was born in Hope, New Mexico to Albert and Dovie Traweek on June 15, 1936.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Dorothy Ann (Bagwell) Traweek, his parents and his siblings, Leslie, Bill, Betty and Bobby.
James’ family adventures started in Fort Sumner, NM, settling down in Purvis TX. He attended Dublin High School where he was active in FFA, loved playing basketball and met his High School Sweetheart, Dorothy.
His thirst for knowledge and learning led him to graduate John Tarleton College, also being active in the Tarleton ROTC. He continued his education at Texas A&M with the Corp of Cadets. Prior to graduation, he was wed to Dorothy Ann Bagwell on February 8, 1958. He went on to receive his degree in Dairy Science in the spring of 1958.
James started his US Army career stationed at Fort Eustic, Virginia. Then being transferred to Washington state where his adventures in the military included learning to fly (not for long, his feet needed to be firmly on the ground) and completed his service as a 1st Lieutenant in Transportation.
James’ extensive agricultural career spanned from Houston, Texas as a County Extension agent to Erath county as a “Professional Teat Puller” as Dad would say to his friends to get a chuckle out of them for being a Dairyman for the next 50+ yrs. This all started when James secured a 100% FHA loan to build Jam-Dot Dairy.
His professional accomplishments include his years of dedicated service to the dairy industry. As a Board of Director, James helped pave the way to take MPI and form AMPI. A Dairy Cooperative that today is the largest in the US, Dairy Farmers of America(DFA). He was the original board member of Texas Association of Dairymen(TAD), Texas Institute of Applied Environmental Research(TIAER) that helped pave the way for Texas Dairy Farmers.
As a strong community leader, James(with Dorothy at his side) was instrumental in the development of June Dairy Month, The Cheese Festival, Moo-La, and AMPI Cheese Plant and working with TSU on building the Tarleton Dairy as well as being a member of the Stephenville Rotary Club.
James and Dorothy had a passion for golf that led to the purchase of Legends Country Club. With the help of several family members, the Country Club was a joyous family place of golf tournaments, Guys and Dolls tournaments and a successful banquet/restaurant venue for 29+ years (1985 to 2015).
James never met a stranger, during his 30+ years of RV/golf adventures with his RV family, James always would let them know he was an old broke dairyman out to enjoy the adventures. No one would ever doubt James with his trusty putter and the crew of golfers would always enjoy his stories at any gathering. Their adventures stretched from coast to coast with their favorite spots being in Santa Fe NM, Edinburg TX and every golf course they could RV to in between.
James married long time friend of the family, Sharon Baum Traweek in June 2013. They shared 9 ½ years of traveling, making wonderful memories with their golfing friends, family and especially loving on their great grandkids. James and Sharon were blessed to be by each other’s side through both of their sicknesses over the last few years. James passed with Sharon and his four children by his side on Friday, Jan. 6th. The family greatly appreciate Karen and Jimmy Finney, of the Iris Assisted Living and their wonderful staff as well as Solaris Hospice staff.
Visitation will be Jan. 13th, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at Stephenville Funeral Home Funeral will be Jan. 14th, 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church of Stephenville Burial to follow at Lingleville East End Cemetery
In Lieu of Flowers donations may be made to: Lingleville East End Cemetery Association, ℅ James Traweek, PO Box 105, Lingleville, Tx 76461
Be the first to comment