Joseph Edgar Travis Class of 1949
AUGUST 15, 1930 – OCTOBER 20, 2020
If there’s one thing that can be said about Joseph Edgar Travis, it is that he loved people. A happy-go-lucky man, he spent his 90 years on earth enjoying the company of others. Born to Joseph Edgar Travis Sr. and Ruby (Cokonougher) Travis on August 15, 1930, Joseph was one of six children. He graduated from Okemos High School in 1949, but he never left the friends he made there, joining several of his classmates on the 2nd Tuesday of every month for good times and old stories. A hard-working man, he met and married Evelyn Elaine (Swab) Travis. Together, they had four daughters, whom Joseph celebrated and treasured as his greatest accomplishment in life. He always made sure they knew how much they were loved. He was always willing to pack up a toolbox and help his children on any projects in their homes and never ran short on warm hugs to share. After the passing of his first wife, Joseph gladly joined his family with Joanne Marie (Hovey) Travis and her two daughters and son. No matter how full his heart or his house, Joseph always made sure that he spent quality time with each person, leaving all who loved him with fond memories of times they shared, lessons they learned, and the special relationship they enjoyed. He loved fishing, hunting, woodworking, bowling, and the rodeo… usually while enjoying some chewing tobacco. But he loved nothing more than his family, which grew to include 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Joseph happily encouraged them all to visit, joking, “Do you need a map to my house?” None of his family had any reason to doubt how important they were to Joseph, but he made absolutely sure they knew by always reminding those near and dear to him, “I love you… and don’t you forget it!”
Joseph departed this life on October 20, 2020, but his loving, compassionate, and giving heart will not be forgotten by his wife, Joanne Marie (Hovey) Travis; his daughters Debra (Dennis) Dyke, Teri Taylor, Cindy Travis (Mark Whipple), and Lisa Rambo; his stepchildren, Karen (Doug) Hodges, Lisa (Jason) Hartshorn, and Duane (Glenda) Hovey; his grandchildren, Harmony McKenna, Tyler Dyke, Case (Ashley) Dyke, Christopher Rambo, Benjamin (Jessie) Rambo, and Andrea Whipple; his step-grandchildren, Douglas (Melissa) Whipple, Max Hodges, Morgan Hartshorn, and Ethan Hartshorn; and his 10 great-grandchildren. He will be pleased to see once more his first wife, Evelyn, his parents, and his brothers and sisters.
A Funeral service will be held at 11 am on Friday, October 30, 2020 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 East Grand River Avenue, East Lansing, MI 48823. Those desiring may make contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, FL 17, Chicago, IL, 60601, or to another deserving charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made in Joseph’s memory at www.greastlansing.com.
Thanks to Cindy Travis for sharing the news of your father’s passing.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/east-lansing-mi/joseph-travis-9867691