Roll Call Tribute

Travis Eugene Coulbourn 

August 17, 1964 - December 30, 2025 

Travis E. Coulbourn, 61, of Austin, Texas, passed away at home on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, after his diagnosis with younger-onset Parkinson’s with Lewy Body Dementia. Travis was a beloved spouse, father, brother, cousin, and friend, and he will be greatly missed.

Travis was born in Austin on August 17, 1964 to Dixon and Gail Coulbourn. He attended Austin High, and graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. A highlight of his years in college was the semester he and two friends spent studying at the University of Alaska. Travis worked as an engineer for many years, then shifted gears to become a general contractor, property manager, and finally, his favorite job: a stay-at-home dad to the daughters he shared with his spouse, Katie Malinski.

Travis met Katie at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin. They were married in 2002, outdoors at sunset, with Travis encouraging Katie to wear Tevas with her wedding gown. Their wonderful daughters Maggie and Caroline were born at home in 2005 and 2010, respectively. He and Katie passed their love of the outdoors along to Maggie and Caroline. As the girls grew up, the family enjoyed graduating from tent camping to a pop-up camper and, eventually, a much-loved old Airstream that Travis remodeled. The family has participated in Austin’s biannual “It’s My Park! Day” work days at Brentwood Park for fifteen years.

Travis was one of a kind. He loved mountain biking (especially at Walnut Creek with his friend Chris Ford,) off-roading, his Land Cruiser FJ-55, camping, and spending as much time outside as possible (always while strongly and enthusiastically protected from the sun.) One way that Travis showed his love for nature was to always pick up trash anywhere he went. On family vacations, on walks to and from Brentwood Elementary with Maggie and Caroline, on camping trips: if he had a bag, Travis would fill it; if he didn’t, he’d just carry whatever he could until he got to a trash can or a recycling bin. Travis was also known for his love of movie quotes and his unique, funny phrases. “Red bag!” “Mucho grande!” “Not bad for a Monday!” “Not the car! I was on fire!” “Trying to cut back.” To know and love Travis was to enjoy a steady stream of non-sequiturs.

Travis’ relationship with Maggie and Caroline was central to his identity. It was very important to Travis to be an involved, peaceful, and loving father, and he absolutely believed that he had the two best kids on the planet. He was proud to have shared his love of bicycling and the outdoors, his commitment to health, and his enjoyment of funny movies with his daughters. Travis made a point of telling everyone in his family at every opportunity that he loved them, and he was always ready with a hug.

Travis leaves behind his spouse, Katie Malinski, beloved daughters Maggie and Caroline, brother and sister-in-law Dan and Jessica Coulbury and their kids Calvin and Marley, mother-in-law Margaret Edwards with whom he enjoyed a weekly coffee date, Coulbourn/Estes/Flores/Mocarski cousins near and far, his former wife Luciana Mandal and her extended family (whose friendship he treasured,) and a host of friends and neighbors. His parents, Gail and Dixon W. Coulbourn, preceded him in death, as did his older brother Dixon E. Coulbourn.