Robert “Bob” Boykin, who anonymously served as the voice of Big Tex at the State Fair of Texas for the past seven years, died Jan. 23. He was 73.

State Fair of Texas attendees aren’t supposed to know whose voice comes booming out of the 55-foot-tall Big Tex as he hollers “howdy, folks!” to crowds. But Boykin’s identity was released on Feb. 10, in conjunction with a statement from the State Fair of Texas about his death.

Though Boykin was anonymous, he would often walk onto the fairgrounds and talk with attendees at the State Fair — “so you may have spoken with the man himself,” says a statement from the State Fair of Texas.

Robert "Bob" Boykin was the voice of Big Tex at the State Fair of Texas from 2013 to 2019. (Courtesy of the State Fair of Texas)

Boykin dabbled in voice acting over the years, not only for Dallas’ tallest mascot but also as an announcer for Green Valley Raceway during his college years. The bulk of his career, however, was spent at Lockheed Martin designing military aircraft like the Stealth bomber and the F-16, according to the fair. He worked at Lockheed Martin for 40 years.

Boykin was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was also a member of the Shriners and the Freemasons.

The fair reports that he was buried in the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, with honors, on Jan. 29.

Boykin joined the State Fair of Texas family after the fair ended in 2012. A State Fair press release says he almost didn’t audition for the Big Tex job; he waited to submit his application at 10 p.m. the night before the deadline. He won the job out of 150 applicants.

“People have bucket list items of things they want to do in their life," said Terri Boykin, Bob’s wife, in a statement. “Bob never dreamed he would have the opportunity to voice Big Tex. But he was able to finish that item. He lived his dream.”

Robert "Bob" Boykin worked for Lockheed Martin for 40 years. (Courtesy of the State Fair of Texas)

Boykin replaced Bill Bragg, who served as the voice of Big Tex from 2002 to 2012. The Dallas Morning News reported that Bragg was fired in 2012 after he was identified as “Bill Bragg, the voice of Big Tex” during a charity event. Bragg died in June 2019.

The season before Boykin started his work with the State Fair, in fall 2012, Big Tex famously caught fire.

Beyond Tex’s signature “howdy folks!” salutation, he tells fairgoers to “have a good day.” Catch him at the right time during his 24-day tenure at the State Fair of Texas and he’ll also bellow, “thank you, and I’ll see you soon, from yours truly, Big Tex.”

The State Fair of Texas will search for a new voice soon. Details on how to apply are not yet available.