Tom was born to Francis Asbury Travis and Lillian Mott Travis on August 22, 1925, in Dallas, Texas. Tom attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, Texas, where he played First Violin in the orchestra. While attending high school he fell in love with Arliss, his wife of 78 years. Tom was 18 years old and Arliss was 16 when they married. They have 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.
Tom was drafted into the United States Army in September 1944. He trained with the 2nd Armored Division as a tank driver at Ft. Knox. He was assigned to the Headquarters Company 13th Armored Group on Luzon in the Philippines. After returning from the military, Tom attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He worked for the United States Post Office and the Small Business Administration retiring in 1992, with 37 years of Government employment.
Tom and his family loved their many camping vacations across the United States, from the East Coast to the West Coast and to the Gulf Coast. As a family, they enjoyed picnics, miniature golf, and fishing. In their younger years, Tom and Arliss enjoyed Round Dancing.
His wife called him Honey, and has a lifetime of fond memories.
His children called him Daddy, and remember him most for faithfully taking them to church, where he robustly sang the hymns, and for teaching them to love hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors.
His grandchildren called him Grandpaw, and remember him most for always smiling, singing in the morning, kindness, and having a song or Spanish phrase for the moment.
His great-grandchildren called him Grandy, and remember his good jokes, kindness, and great big sneezes.
Tom and Arliss are long-time members of Rockland Community Church in Golden, Colorado. When they could no longer attend in person, they continued to faithfully watch the church services online.
He is survived by his wife Arliss, his three sons, Tim (Eshel) and his wife Pam of Mesquite, Texas, Jim and his wife Bonnie of Evergreen, Gary and his wife Cathy of Evergreen, his daughter Glenda McDonald of Arvada, his grandchildren Brian, Debbie, Adam, Joel, Holly, Paul, Mark, Drew and Cory and 14 great-grandchildren.
Tom was predeceased by his parents, Francis Asbury and Lillian Travis, and his great-granddaughter Esther Travis.
A visitation for Tom will be held Monday, December 5, 2022, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary and Cemetery, 7777 W. 29th Ave., Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033, followed by a funeral service from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
To view a memorial slideshow of Tom, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvbp6nOljAw
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