Travis Ward Brand, 91, of Liberty, passed away February 8, 2014. He was born July 22, 1922 to Ward I. Brand and Ruby Pendley Brand. He was a life-long resident of Liberty. He graduated from Liberty High School in 1939, then he attended Sam Houston State University but left after volunteering in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He married Ruth Donnette Tadlock on December 7, 1949. They had two children, Kenneth Ward and Donna Kay. In 1949, he started and ran Brands Conoco Service Station for 10 years. After selling his business, he went to work for the U.S. Postal Service and he also farmed cotton and soy beans for 25 years. After retiring from the Postal Service, he worked for 12 years for the City of Liberty as the manager for the Liberty Airport. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Men's Bible Class of Liberty.
He was preceded in death by his parents Ward I. and Ruby Brand; grandparents; grandson, Kenneth Paul Brand; sister, Mary Lee Gayle.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Ruth Donnette Brand of Liberty; daughter, Donna Kay Potetz and husband John Paul of Liberty; son, Kenneth W. Brand and wife Katherine of Liberty; sisters, Lorayne Telford of Liberty and Dorothy Teel of Liberty; grandchildren, John Travis Potetz and wife Jodie, Marcus Travis Brand and wife Sine, Drew Potetz and wife Carolyn, Cullen Potetz, all of Liberty; great grandchildren, Tessa Brand, Travis Ward Brand II, Hayli Brand, Dustin Brand, Jenna Kay Brand, Jace Potetz, Emma Smart, Alicia Smart, Josie Burkett, Justin Burkett, and Janna Burkett.
He enjoyed his grandchildren, playing his saxophone and playing golf.
His family will receive friends at the First United Methodist Church of Liberty on Tuesday February 11, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. A service of remembrance is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Tuesday February 11, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church of Liberty, officiated by Reverend Lindsey Smith. A private interment will follow at Liberty City Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers will be Marcus Brand, John Travis Potetz, Drew Potetz, Cullen Potetz, Dustin Brand and John Paul Potetz. Honorary pallbearers are the Men's Bible Class of the First United Methodist Church of Liberty and Harvey Joiner.