Winfred "Win" Travis Baggett

Winfred “Win” Travis Baggett of New Ulm, Texas, passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on February 18, 2025, holding the hand of his beloved wife of 66 years, Caroline Baggett. Win was born on September 19, 1935, in Crane, Texas to Bennie and Cora Baggett. He was a father of two, and “Pa” to eight grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Caroline Baggett; son, Travis Baggett; sister, Lois Andrews; grandsons: Zachary Baggett, Tyler Baggett, Kyle Baggett and Bryce Blessing; granddaughters: Heather Leehang, Alyssa Easley and Ashlynn Brandt; great grandsons: Myles Leehang, Israel Baggett, Azariah Baggett, Abel Blessing, Ephraim Blessing, Silas Brandt and Everett Easley; great granddaughters: Kora Leehang, Ellie Leehang, Quinn Leehang, Shelby Baggett, Adaiah Baggett, Naomi Baggett, Brynna Easley, Lila Easley, Raylee Easley, Elodie Brandt and Lydia Brandt.

He was preceded in death by daughter Tricia Blessing and granddaughter Amber Baggett.

Win devoted his life to serving and enjoying his family. He created lasting memories with epic camping vacations in the Colorado mountains and the great Southwest. “Pa” was the captain and cruise director of his pontoon boat that took countless trips with his children, grandchildren and friends on Canyon Lake. Win was his family’s biggest fan. He and Caroline attended an untold number of sporting events, birthday parties, plays, recitals, concerts and school programs for his kids, grandkids and great grandkids. Win was all about getting the family together to enjoy a meal, fellowship or watch a ball game together. At these gatherings is where “Pa” was likely to unleash one of his classic “one-liners” that to this day his grandkids recite and attempt to decipher their meaning.

Win graduated from Seminole High School, Seminole, Texas in 1955 where he was an accomplished football player and captain of the team as a senior. He was recruited by several schools but chose to attend Texas Western College in El Paso, Texas where he earned a full-ride football scholarship. He played on the offensive line and participated in the 1957 Sun Bowl. He earned a Bachelor of Physical Education in 1959 and later earned a Master of Education from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas in 1964.

Win married the love of his life Caroline Watson on May 30th, 1958, between their junior and senior year. Upon graduation in 1959, he accepted a coaching position at Bowie High School in El Paso, Texas. He was drafted by Dwight D. Eisenhower (as he was known for saying) in 1960. He served two years and was honorably discharged in 1962.

His service brought him and Caroline to San Antonio, Texas where he resumed his coaching career. He was on staff at Nimitz Middle School and Lee High School there and then moved to Carrolton, Texas to be on staff at Carrolton High School. He then became head coach at Roosevelt High School moving back to San Antonio, Texas in 1968. His coaching career was highlighted by being named San Antonio High School Football Coach of the Year in 1970. His success at Roosevelt earned him the moniker “Father of Rough Rider Country”. He left coaching to become the Assistant Athletic Director of the North East Independent School District until his retirement in 1993. In retirement, he took on one more coaching position where he was the assistant high school basketball coach to his grandson Zachary who was head coach at New Braunfels Christian Academy in 2005.

Much of Win’s life was dedicated to fervently and joyfully serving Jesus Christ. He and Caroline served as onsite directors of Singing Hills Ministry retreat center in Spring Branch, Texas from 1984 to 1996 where they ministered to countless families. Win and Caroline also served as resident managers for three seasons at the Sanctuary of Prayer in Washington, DC. Win was a church small group leader, certified Christian counselor, Bible study teacher, healing room prayer minister, elder board member in three different charismatic churches and founding member of a weekly men’s ministry called “The Brotherhood” that started in the mid-2000’s and continues to meet to this day.

Known by all as “Coach”, Win was a gifted leader and encourager of men. Up to the time of his passing, from former players as far back as the mid-1960s to young men he connected with in recent months, “Coach” was always ready to encourage, instruct and uplift.

Celebration of life services will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, March 8th, 2025, at Freedom Fellowship Church at 410 Oak Run Point, New Braunfels, TX followed by interment at 1:30pm at Hill Country Memorial Garden Cemetery at 11700 State Highway 46 West, New Braunfels, Texas.