Tributes

Heaven couldn't wait. It's likely that some building project is underway up there, as on April 15, 2014, the Lord called Travis M. "Big Daddy" Singleton to get on home. He was 93. An affable man, generous and kind, the Patriot Height's resident peacefully expired of natural causes after dinner, on a gentle Spring-like day, while resting in bed. Born June 26, 1920, in San Antonio, Texas, Travis M. Singleton was the second eldest child of James J. and Ethel Adele Singleton. His early years were trying. Singleton described his family as "dirt poor." As the Great Depression swept the country, times would get even tougher. One event that changed his life was the untimely death of his father. Difficult as it was, the passing of his father brought a blessing. While lying on his death bed James Jepther Singleton asked his Brother-in-law "Uncle Attaway" to take care of his boys. He did. C. E. Attaway would become instrumental in helping to lead Singleton and his brothers on the path to business success. There is little doubt, however, that early hardships were beginning to shape Singleton's person. A willful and determined young man was beginning to emerge when Singleton left school in the 8th grade to help support "Momma" and his five brothers. Nothing was beneath him. He shined shoes. He ran errands. Working for a nickel a day, he and his younger brother Bob caddied at local Golf Courses – where the winning Singleton charm made the boys popular. An unlikely profession for the rough and tumble Singleton, Travis dressed window displays for Household Furniture at $1.00 a day. Which was nowhere near enough. He needed to support his family. Joining the CCC Civilian Conservation Corps, a soil conservation program created as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal" agenda, the teenaged Singleton joined 500, 000 other "boys" at Pike's Peak, Colorado, to help revitalize failing natural resources. He earned $30.00 monthly. Devotedly, he sent "Momma" $25.00 from every paycheck. History also awaited him back home in San Antonio. On December 17, 1938, while working as a telegram delivery messenger for Western Union, Singleton and friend Walter Gallaway set a record travel time of 19 hours when bicycling round trip 302 miles between San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Texas. "Cycling Cyclones," read a San Antonio Light headline. Life-changing events followed: • June 7, 1941, he and sweetheart Lucy Eileen Coward marry in Charlotte, Texas. • April 4, 1942, Singleton enlists in the army. • First-born son James Travis arrives February 1944. • September 1944 Singleton serves the 44th Infantry Division in Europe. • October 1945 he returns home decorated by an EAME European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Service Ribbon, a Good Conduct medal, and three Bronze Service Stars. Which he never mentioned. Singleton was a humble man. But you can learn the harrowing details of his military campaign by visiting http://www.efour4ever.com. Co-owner of Singleton Brothers Lumber Company, established 1949, Travis Singleton ran a respected and successful business buying and selling military salvage until 1992. "I loved the lumber yard," he often said, and found it hard to retire. It consoled him that a school, Miguel Carrillo, Jr., Elementary, now stands at the very spot. Community: • Helped build South San Civic Center. • Sponsored yearly neighborhood little league teams. • Helped neighbors build homes by never charging interest on materials purchased, and allowed pay-as-you-can privileges to families in need. • Supported small businessmen in south San Antonio. Organizations: • South San Antonio American Legion. • Lumbermen's Association of Texas & Louisiana. • The "Who Who Club," a local chapter of the Lumberman's Association. • Optimist Club • Member of South San Antonio Baptist Church. Family Memories: On pleasant Sunday mornings Singleton drove his family, relatives, and friends to nearby Somerset, Texas. There he enjoyed watching the children "wiggle their toes in the sand," or running races with the kids. His daughter Cleo smiles at how "Daddy" never did win a sprint. Along the railroad yards of South San Antonio Singleton delighted in treating grandchildren – Mark and Chris Swalm, Jana and Sonny Bishop – to the chugging wonders of lumbering trains. He took the kids for rides in the company's delivery truck, a beat-up old Dodge commonly known as "The Blue Goose," which the children loved to steer, pretending to drive, while honking the horn at friends and dogs alike. On weekends, still rising early, Singleton liked to coax his sleepy children from out their cozy beds by cooking bacon and quietly wafting its irresistible aroma beneath their noses. At his lumberyard, every day after school, Singleton passed out cold "sodies" from his Coke machine to all the neighborhood children. Every single day, upon returning from work at end of day, his faithful dogs dutifully waited for him at his yard's gate. His favorite place was Port Aransas, where family will share some of his ashes with beach, wind, and sea. Siblings: Brothers Jack, Bob, Bill, Johnny, and Stanley Singleton. Marriage: Lucy Eileen Coward. June 7, 1941. Children: James Travis Singleton. Carol Rangnow. Penny Bombardier, Duane Singleton. Cleo Gomez. Grandchildren: Gwendolyn Singleton. Jamie and husband Mark Hastings. Sonny and wife Kristi Bishop. Jana Bishop. Chris and wife Shannon Swalm. Mark Swalm. Step Grandchildren: Roy, Eli, and Mariel Gomez. Kyndal and Tucker Tripp. Great Grandchildren. Hannah and Seth Hastings. Braden and Brice Bishop. Hailee Swalm. Survived by: Carol and Ellwood Rangnow. Penny Bombardier. Duane Singleton. Cleo and Roy Gomez. Ruth Singleton. Predeceased: Bill Singleton, brother. Lucy Eileen Singleton, wife. James Travis Singleton, son. Jana Eileen Bishop, granddaughter. Jack Singleton, brother. Hannah Hastings, great granddaughter. Gary D. Bombardier, son-in-law. Funeral services with military honors are scheduled for Mission Park Funeral Chapels South on April 26 at 11 a.m., with the burial immediately following. A reception will be held at Maggiano's Restaurant, 17603 IH 10 W, 1 – 4 p.m. In lieu of sending flowers, donors may contribute to either organization: • Vet TRIIP P.O. Box 460902 San Antonio, Texas, 78246 • Triple H Equitherapy 791 Backhaus Road Pipe Creek, Texas, 78063 • Equessense Therapeutic Horse Play 6062 Youngsford Road Marion Texas, 78124 Singleton's favorite quote and scripture: • "You're only as good as your word." • Proverbs 22: 2. "Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all."

Tributes

Travis M. Singleton

June 26, 1920 - April 15, 2014