The Current Voice of Big Tex has Passed Away

The State Fair of Texas announced Monday (February 10) that the current voice of Big Tex, Robert "Bob" Boykin, has passed away at the age of 73. Mr. Boykin had been the voice of the famous greeter to the fair since 2013.

Robert was born August 28, 1946, in Dallas and was raised in Richardson. To put himself through Arlington State College (now the University of Texas at Arlington), Robert worked at Green Valley Raceway as an announcer. He later joined the United States Marine Corps. After the service, he joined Lockheed Martin, where he worked for 40 years, and had a hand in designing the stealth bomber and F-16.

One of Robert's big dreams, though, was to be the voice of Big Tex. He beat out 150 other applicants to take the job after the 2012 state fair. If you have visited the state fair over the last several years, you have bumped into Robert. He was known for talking to fair goers during his breaks but without telling them he was Big Tex's voice.

A new voice won't be determined until a few months down the road.