Joseph Manning Travis, age 69, ended his earthly journey March 13, 2105 at his home in Prosser following a battle with lung cancer.
Joe was born on May 6, 1945 in Lumberton, North Carolina to Norman and Celia Travis. Norm was stationed overseas, but shortly after returning stateside, moved his family to Prosser, Washington. Joe would spend the remainder of his life as a Prosser resident.
Joe graduated from Prosser High School in 1965 and Lower Valley Automotive School in 1967. He married Carol Ann Dell in July of 1967 and they began their family. Joe started and ended his work life with Denchel’s dealerships in Prosser, first working for Denchel and Son’s and later Tom Denchel Ford Country. He spent years working with farmers, gaining a love for the land and appreciation for those that depend on water and sunshine for their livelihood having grown up the son of a Horse Heaven Hills dry land wheat farmer. Joe worked hard, and instilled that work ethic in his children.
Time spent with family was precious to Joe and he greatly enjoyed his grandchildren. He had a soft heart for dogs and the Seattle Seahawks. Mornings could not begin without a cup of coffee with at least two teaspoons of sugar.
Joe was a husband to Carol Travis of Prosser. Father to JoAnn (Stan) O’Bara of Yakima and Gary (Amy) Travis of Delaplane, Virginia. He was a brother to Irv (Lawanna) Travis of Prosser and Lovell (Sharon) Travis of Vancouver, Washington. Dylan and Kaitlyn O’Bara of Yakima, Kelsey and Lauren Travis of Greenfield, South Carolina and Henry Manning Travis of Delaplane, VA called Joe “Grandpa”. Margaret “Maggie Jo” Travis is due to arrive early April, 2015.
A Memorial Service will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Prosser at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2015.
Thanks to Heart Links Hospice, especially Starla, Juana, Emily and Amy.