Jack Reynolds Travis

Jack Reynolds Travis, 82, of Corning, NY, passed away on October 19, 2023, in Lancaster, OH. He was born on July 6, 1941, in Corning, NY. Jack was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Jack is survived by his devoted spouse of nearly 61 years, Mary Travis, his son Michael (Wendy) Travis, his granddaughters Hannah Travis and Hailey Hilliard, his grandson Aiden Travis, his extended “family” Bill, Holli, Sarah (& Daphne), Megan, and Kate Krauss, Mike, Becky, and Connor McCandlish and Will and Valerie Evans.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clyde Travis, his mother, Reitha Travis-Fenton, his brother, Claude “Buck” Travis, his brother, Henry Travis, and his infant daughter Travis.

Jack attended Corning Free Academy in Corning, New York, for his high school education. He furthered his education at Corning Community College, and he proudly served in the U.S. Army.

Throughout his career, Jack excelled in a variety of roles. He worked as a delivery driver at Arnold Furniture, a draftsman at Corning Glass Works, a packaging engineer at Corning Fiber Box, Anchor Hocking, Sonoco, and International Paper, and a packaging design manager at Oneida Container. He designed palletization software as sole proprietor of Palmax, and he was the proud holder of three U.S. Patents.

In his free time, Jack was a voracious reader of science fiction and a lifelong lover of learning. He enjoyed motorcycles and go carts, and he served as a pit crew member for many races at Watkins Glen. For many years, he was a member of the Sports Car Club of America, winning Solo II events and regional championships. He also participated in TSD (time-speed-distance) road rallies and gymkhana events. Jack was an early adopter of the personal computer and a skilled ham radio operator, holding an extra class license and certification as Amateur Radio Test Administration. Jack generously shared his knowledge of mathematics as a tutor for college students, and he served as a youth league baseball coach and board member. He was a short-wave radio enthusiast and considered himself a tech “nerd”. Jack enjoyed and was actively involved in the Sherman Bluff condo association.

Most anyone who met Jack would say he had a gruff exterior, yet many who got to know him discovered he could be very generous with his time, talents and treasure. He was a bit of a teddy bear trapped in the body and mind of a grumpy old man.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, October 23, 2023 at 7PM at the HALTEMAN-FETT & DYER FUNERAL HOME. Visitation will be held from 4PM-7PM on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Lancaster & Fairfield County Radio Club, Ohio Glass Museum, or a charity of your choice in Jack’s memory.

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