Travis Alan Corbin was born March 14, 2000, in Sugar Land, Texas to Alan and Michelle Corbin. Travis was a 2018 graduate of Katy ISD’s James E. Taylor High School and attended Texas Tech University, where he pursued a degree in Marketing with hopes of owning his own business. Travis is survived by his parents, Alan and Michelle Corbin; sister, Caroline Corbin; grandparents, Pauline and John Burkett, Raymond and Susan Ory, Richard and Mary Elizabeth Corbin, and Janis Corbin; Aunt Rachel Ory and Cousin Kelsey McGinn; Uncle David and Aunt Nadine Corbin; Cousins, Jeremiah Corbin, Rachel Ross, and D.J. Corbin; in addition to numerous great aunts, great uncles, and cousins. Travis was preceded in death by his Grandmother Connie Ory and Aunt Sharon Corbin.
Travis inherited Alan’s wry sense of humor and Ory good looks. A little boy always on the hunt for a rock, bug, or treasure to add to his collections. His clever nature made him a worthy competitor at various games. From gymnastics, T-ball, soccer, flag football and basketball, he rotated through the seasons. His favorite was basketball which he continued through junior high, but Travis’ discovery of the trumpet in 6th grade opened the door to his musical talent. He was a frustrating student to his music teachers Ms. Dickson, Mr. Liverman, and Mr. Melville, for he hated to practice the basics. Even after years of playing, Travis still struggled to play the required scales but effortlessly played beautiful, lyrical pieces of music. His talent earned him a spot in the top-performing bands during his junior and high school years. Fall was full of football games and contests. Alan loved sharing the band experience with Travis and his role with the JET Band as a Loading Crew dad. Our family favorite was Travis’ senior year of high school, Caroline’s freshman year, as both participated in band together. As well, his artistic side showed itself in Travis’ many creative pencil drawings of imaginative creatures.
Travis joined Cub Scouts in first grade and continued as a Boy Scout through his high school years, achieving rank of Life Scout. During his Cub Scout years, his favorite activity was the Pinewood Derby which his first-place win is memorialized with a trophy on display at Exley Elementary. Boy Scouting fell in priority during high school due to academic pressures, marching band obligations and... girls. Alan and Travis participated in high adventure activities, from spending two weeks backpacking the mountains of Philmont to deep-sea fishing in the Florida Keys. Travis was one of the few who did not get seasick.
The most important gift scouting gave was the time Travis and Alan spent together. Each trip allowed time away from pressures and expectations; just talking about life. Their father-son adventures extended beyond scouting and always included the outdoors. Travis’ favorites included skiing in Colorado at Grandad’s cabin, snowmobiling the Continental Divide, white water rafting, hiking, and chartered fishing trips in the Gulf. We always found it ironic how much he loved fishing but did not like seafood. He loved a good steak and fresh bread with butter-- lots and lots of butter- could eat a whole stick by himself if no one was watching. Nana and Papaw always prepared a “restaurant worthy” steak for Travis on visits.
He was the only boy amongst a bevy of girl cousins, which he relished this starring role with goofy faces, fart noises, and a relentless stream of clever (annoying) comments. A high pitch chorus would sing in unison “Stop Travis” at any given moment, followed by giggles or tattling. Aunt Rachel remembers when Travis and his cousin Kelsey were five years old, and just before dinner, the two had all of their Halloween candy laid out. She told them they were not to eat Halloween candy since dinnertime was near. Travis responds with, “Aunt Rachel, Can we just smell it?” His sense of humor would sneak up, surprising you with moments of stomach-hurting, can’t breathe laughter. Always ready for a good scary movie or a laugh-out-loud comedy. We loved his laugh and the twinkle in his hazel eyes.
Travis enjoyed playing cards & tricks, chess, and board games galore! He had the ability to see the pattern or path to win before others. His gift for strategizing was evident as he was the master of the video game domain, allowing him to connect and rule the world with friends. He loved Ultimate Frisbee and would play for hours on the practice fields of Taylor High School. A visit to the park, beach or even at the cabin; the Corbin four would gather throwing the frisbee. At Texas Tech, his favorite mode to travel around campus was his skateboard. Skateboarding at the skatepark and learning tricks fed his adventurous heart. While at school, he met one of the loves of his life: his dog Lana.
The summer before his ninth-grade year, the “nerdy” braces were removed, and glasses were replaced by contacts revealing a noticeably handsome young man—a young man who experienced first loves and broken hearts. The moments sitting with him on his bed as his sadness poured, which was a rare occurrence for Travis, for his fear of vulnerability became greater with each disappointment, broken heart, and friend betrayal. He was guarded in his feelings and only opened to a select few. He was grateful for Mark, whose friendship remained a constant through his struggles. Mark saw Travis in a way that he could not view himself; “Travis is the smartest person I know.”
For all of his wonder, intelligence, and accomplishments, he felt a lack of purpose; that he was alone in his fear about not knowing. He constantly searched for the truth and questioned everything, often leaving us in a state of amazement and silence as we pondered how to answer. This feeling of unworthiness grew, and when he looked in the mirror, his view was a distorted, untrue version of himself. He searched for a sense of belonging at all costs. We wish he were given more time with us to heal his Earthly self.
When he was a Newborn, his Grandpa painted the walls and ceiling of his room with blue skies and white clouds, hot-air balloons, mountains, lakes, and boats. Little boy dreams. We thought Travis would paint over them as he got older or cover his walls with posters. Twenty-one years later, the morning of October 14, he passed away in the very same room with the beautiful scenery that he first saw as a baby. He was no longer in pain, be it physical or emotional. The night before his passing, we sat together again on his bed under the painted blue sky. Travis shared with us, cried with us, and loved with us. He was hopeful. We were hopeful.
The author Karen Kingsbury wrote a children’s book that we have treasured for many years, and the opening page states, “Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts: First smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst. But one day you will move away and leave me your past, And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts”... the ending page... “Let me hold on longer God, to every precious last.”
Travis was a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, loyal friend. We will miss him greatly.
A service Celebrating the Life of Travis will be held on Friday, December 3rd, 2021 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, 20775 Kingsland Blvd, Katy, TX 77450. Food and Fellowship to follow in Asbury Hall.
Travis will be interred in the Garden of Tranquility off of Whisper Woods South in Memorial Oaks Cemetery; 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079.
In remembrance of Travis, those wishing to make donations may do so to St. Peter’s United Methodist Church Care Team or KARE Katy Area Recovery Education. KARE donations can be made via their website, https://katyrecovery.com/donate/ or checks can be mailed to 26311 Westheimer Parkway Katy, TX, 77494. Questions Contact: Judy Bou Kheir info@katyrecovery.com
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