Roll Call Tribute

Norman Lane Traylor 

August 20, 1949 - May 9, 2024 

Norman Lane Traylor was born on August 20 in 1949 in Hughes Springs, Texas. He left this world for his heavenly home on May 9, 2024. He was the son of Billy and Betty Traylor. He was affectionately known to all of us close to him as ‘Cheta.”

Norman’s formative years were spent in Hughes Springs, Texas, where he attended Hughes Springs High School. After high school he attended Kilgore College, East Texas State University where he received a B.S. and M.S. degree, and Texas A&M University in College Station, where he received a Doctorate Degree in Administration in 1986.

Norman was a devout Christian finding strength and solace in his faith. He found joy in time spent with his family on many trips to the beach.

On May 29, 1970, he married the love of his life, Deborah Young. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Deborah Traylor; sons, Scott (Kimberly Diane) Traylor, Chris (Emily) Traylor; and one daughter, Kimberlee Traylor. His legacy extended to his grandchildren, Julee (Brach) Whitman, Landon Traylor, Karlynn Traylor, Alyson Galvan, Aubree Traylor (Ernesto), Christopher Galvan, Isisdora Ginakis, Lane Traylor, Wesley Traylor, Clara Rose Traylor, Nikolaos Traylor; two new great-grandchildren, Sophia Miranda and Charles Whitman; other survivors include one sister, Nan (Dave) Saucier of Winnsboro, Texas; 4 cousins, Randy (Dolly) Traylor of Longview, Brette Lea of Dripping Springs, Alison Middleton of Longview, and Matt Berry of Austin; and numerous nephews and nieces.

During his tenure as an educator, Norman served as principal of several schools. Among those schools are Washington Elementary in Port Arthur, Homer Elementary in Beaumont, and Marshall Middle School in Beaumont. Two of these three schools were awarded recognition as a Blue Ribbon School by the Department of Education during his time as their principal.

Mr. Traylor also was a member of the Beaumont Masonic Lodge 286 in Beaumont.

Norman (Cheta) will be sorely missed for his humor and his love of teasing others. Memories created will forever be etched in the hearts of all those that were blessed to know our “Cheta.”

Memorial contributions may be made to Nutrition and Services for Seniors (Meals on Wheels), 4590 Concord Road, Beaumont, Texas 77703 donate online; the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, Texas 75284-0692 donate online; or The Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University, 505 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840-2918 donate online.

A gathering of Dr. Traylor’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, May 13, 2024, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont. Serving as pallbearers will be Ken Kemble of Beaumont, Texas, Johnny Wallace of Hughes Springs, Texas, Billy Saucier of Winnsboro, Texas, Cody Saucier of Pittsburg, Texas, Landon Traylor of Beaumont, Texas and Brach Whitman of Sour Lake, Texas.