02/11/2026
Travis Morehead passed away with son Ryan “Bear” Morehead and brother Charles “CJ” Ortega on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 12:45 pm in a vehicle accident.
Travis Owen Morehead, 46, was born April 7, 1979, in Peru, Indiana to Cynthia Ortega. He grew up in Hempstead, Texas and attended Hempstead High School where he became good friends with many people and even met his wife. In 1998, Travis and his brother Charles “CJ” joined the Hempstead Volunteer Fired Department and served for many years fighting fires among Hempstead VFD, Bellville VFD, and Rolling Hills VFD. He and his wife Melissa had three children. In 2006, he became a Correctional Officer for TDCJ, where he served for almost 20 years. He became the president of the Woodman Life Chapter 2053 and maintained the title from 2022-2024. He was a member of the Community of Faith Church. One of the many things he loved to do with his family was to go on cruises to new places.
Ryan Alexander “Bear” Morehead, 21, was born on May 15, 2004, in Brenham, Texas to Travis and Melissa Morehead. He grew up in Bellville, Hempstead, and Waller. He graduated from Waller High School in 2024. Ryan was an active member of the community; he was a junior volunteer firefighter with the Rolling Hills VFD from 2015-2018, he was an active Woodman Life Chapter 2053 member, he attended Community of Faith Church, and he attended several events at Camp Journey in Bellville, Texas. Ryan never met a stranger, only a friend he didn’t know yet.
Charles Joseph “CJ” Ortega, 45, was born on May 9, 1980, in Bellville, Texas to Elyane Ortega. He was a lifetime resident of Hempstead. After graduating from HHS, he worked various jobs but spent eight years serving the TDCJ Wallace Pack Unit as a Correctional Officer. He was a member and later president of Woodman Life Chapter 2053, following his brother Travis. CJ liked helping people and became an EMS-EMT Basic in Waller County. His greatest love was being a fireman. He became a member of the Hempstead VFD at age 18. He was also a member of the Rolling Hills VFD. When not fighting fires, CJ loved being outdoors. He could be found on cruises, beach get-aways and spending time with his dog Dirk. He enjoyed going to movies, eating out, playing games, and BBQing with Travis, family, and friends.
Travis, CJ, and Ryan are preceded in death by father/grandfather Eddie V. Ortega, grandparents Charles and Edna Taylor, aunts Karen Bennatte and Jeanette Taylor, and uncles Jimmie Bennatte and Dennis M. Taylor. They are survived by mother/nana Elyane Ortega, wife/sister-in-law/mom Melissa Morehead, daughter/niece/sister Kimberly and husband Cory Heggins, son/nephew/brother Jason Morehead, granddaughter/great niece/niece Opal, grandsons/great nephews, nephews Cayden and Tobias, and many extended family members and friends including uncles Gary and Keith Taylor, cousins Matt, Curtis, Kevin, Stephen, Josh, Katy, Chuck, Julie, Janet, Laura, Tina and husband Josh. Travis and Ryan are also survived by in-laws/grandparents Robert and Phyllis Cole.
Memorial services were held Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 10:00 am at McWilliams Funeral Home, Hempstead with Brother Philip “Deke” McWilliams officiating.
