Richard Jeffrey Transki

Richard Jeffrey Transki, 61, was born on May 31, 1962 to Victor G. Transki, Jr. and Lynne Margaret Trezise at Chicksands AFB, in Middlesex, England. He attended schools in several states including, Tucson, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas while his father served in the Air Force. After his father retired, the family moved back to San Angelo in 1977 where Jeff graduated from Central High School in San Angelo in 1980.

He attended Angelo State University but followed his passion for creating through his work designing and tailoring clothes for clients in his shop on Chadbourne Street to making wardrobes for motion pictures and television shows out in Hollywood. Some of his most noted motion pictures were “Ocean’s Eleven” where he made the red suit Julia Roberts wore when she came down the stairs in the casino. He also appeared in the scene with Carl Reiner when he fitted him for his suit. He also work on the set of “Hidalgo”, where he made all of Wild Bill’s costumes. Three of the television series he worked on included “Streets of Laredo”, “CSI:Miami” and “Nip/Tuck”.

After his time in Hollywood, he returned to Abilene, Texas, where he worked for the Paramount Theater creating costumes for many productions throughout the years. He also taught as an adjunct professor at Hardin-Simmons University in their theater department as well.

Richard was diagnosed with cancer in late 2021 while caring for his mother before her death in February 2022. After successful radiation and chemotherapy treatment he received a second diagnosis in early 2023 and passed peacefully in the arms of his savior on June 13, 2023.

He is survived by his father and stepmother, Vic and Barb Transki; his sisters Jenny Rowe Jillian Kight; and nieces and nephews Kellen Rowe, Max and Carter Rowe, Kyndall Kight and Cooper Kight.

There will be a “Remembering Richard” celebration on July 16 from 2:00-4:00 at Dance Discovery Studios, 209 S. Danville Bldg A, Abilene, Texas, 79605.