Gary Alton Traugott

Gary Alton Traugott, 60, was born on October 14, 1964 in Austin, Texas. Gary reached his Heavenly Home on July 5, 2025 after passing during the Leander Sandy Creek Flood. By his side were his Momma, Betty West, and brother, Doug West. All three worked as a team to meet each of their needs and left this world together.

Gary enjoyed a lifelong career as an Auto Mechanic. Even as a child he was always tinkering with and repairing things. He had a green thumb like his Momma, and they often spent time working together in the yard planting. He as her gardener, snake killer and chauffeur--driving Miss Betty wherever heart desired to go. He was very generous with his time and always told his sisters when they would ask him to do honey-do's, "You know I can't tell y'all no."

Gary was meticulous at everything he did and wouldn't stop until his work was perfected. It didn't matter where your car broke down, Gary would come and rescue you and never acted like it put him out. Gary, along with his brother, Doug, were fierce protectors of their Momma and always put her interests above their own. Gary once told us, "I'll start my life when my Momma's gone."

Gary had a real knack for identifying any song title and band with just a snippet of the beginning of a song, all the way back to the '70's music to present, no matter the genre. He was a dog lover, once being the owner of 18 Black Mouth Cur dogs, but ended up with 3 in the end: Tanner, Jumper, and Bandit, whom he called his kids and were by his side to the end.

Gary was a corny jokester, always seeing everything in a humorous light. What he loved the most was when someone else enjoyed his jokes. He loved electronics and was discovering more about computers every day.

When Gary was little, he would stick Chinaberries in his ears, and got on a first name basis with the doctors in the Emergency Room. It was a weekly occurrence for a while. When he finally understood that he was not supposed to put them in his ears, he started putting them up his nose. The doctors would ask, "Gary, where did you put them this time?" and he'd tell them.

Gary will continually be loved and remembered by his siblings: sister, Sherry McCutcheon of Manor, Texas; sister, Terry Traugott of Manor, Texas; brother, Chip Traugott of Austin, Texas; sister, Deedee Johnson (Kevin) of Dale, Texas; aunt, Debby La France of Jarrell, Texas; aunt, Opal Lambert of Liberty Hill, Texas; as well as extended family members and friends for his willingness to always offer a helping hand and a big heart.

Gary was preceded in death by his Momma, Betty West of Leander, Texas; brother, Doug West of Leander, Texas; Daddy, Travis Traugott of Cedar Creek, Texas; stepdad, George West of Leander, Texas; sister, Denise West-Cushing of Leander, Texas; nephew, Lee McCutcheon of Austin, Texas; as well as many others who departed before him.

Visitation will be held Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 1:00pm, with Celebration of Life services beginning at 2:00pm at Glad Tidings Church at 16030 TX-29 in Liberty Hill, Texas. Interment will follow at Bagdad Cemetery in Leander, Texas at 400 N Bagdad Road. Services will be livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/event/5340063