Kenneth Duane Travis, Esq. 86, of Midland, Texas entered heaven’s gate Friday evening, September 18, 2015 at Midland Memorial Hospital after a long battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. His precious wife and daughter were with him in his final moments. A memorial service celebrating Ken’s life will be held in Midland, Texas at the First Baptist Church Chapel on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. Rev. David Johnson will be officiating the service.Kenneth was an only child born to Wallace and Gladys Travis of Concordia, Kansas on February 08, 1929. Wallace was the General Manager of Fairmont Foods in Concordia for many years and Gladys owned and operated The Knit Shop in Concordia as well.Inheriting a strong work ethic from his parents, Kenneth started finding jobs to do around town at an early age. By the time he was 12, Ken was delivering bread door to door on his bicycle, and soon driving a milk delivery truck for the residents of Concordia. He learned the benefit of budgeting and saving money early and within just a few of years, he was able to buy his first car, a Ford Roadster. It was then that he took on more hours working in the butcher shop in Concordia. Thus he continued through his high school years in Concordia, graduating in 1947. Besides jobs and schoolwork, Ken also was heavily involved in the band and orchestra as a trombonist. He also participated in the glee club, theatre club, and the newspaper and annual in High School. The First Baptist Church and Sunday School played an important role in Ken’s spiritual life. It was at the First Baptist Church in Concordia that he heard the gospel message and surrendered his life to Jesus at age 15. He attended weekly and participated in many events with the church.The Fall of 1947 was the start of a new adventure for Ken; life at the University of Kansas. During the semesters, Kenneth was a student in the Law Department. During the summers, he drove a large 18-wheel truck for Fairmont Foods, delivering ice cream and milk to western Kansas to pay for his education. Besides studying law, Kenneth also enjoyed studying languages and history. It was during one of his semester breaks that he met his forever sweetheart, Theresa Marie Hamel. He was smitten with love at first sight when he saw her crossing a Concordia street in a beautiful yellow dress. Kenneth graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law and passed the State Board of Law Examiners in June, 1953. Just a few weeks later he married the love of his life on July 20, 1953 in Concordia, KS.Ken spent most of his working years as an attorney for the St. Paul Insurance Company. Doing so, he took on several different assignments in different areas of Kansas, and then finally landing in a suburb of Houston, Texas where he finished his career with St. Paul, with early retirement. After retirement, Ken was never satisfied to just “take it easy.” He enjoyed exploring other part-time careers such as; owner of Logos Company, a secretarial service, and rural long distance mail delivery covering much of the area around Midland, Tx. He was also a very successful private investor in the stock market. His hobbies over the years included playing guitar with friends, singing, motorcycling with his children, stained glass art with his wife, crossword puzzles, investing, and reading the history of everything and every place! He was the smartest man his family knew!The biggest part of Ken’s life and legacy would be his faith in God, his love of family, and his service to others. Every church he has ever been a part of, he has also served in some capacity. From teaching 5th grade Sunday School, to leading as a deacon as well as an elder, to singing in quartets and choirs, he was always busy in his church. Until he could no longer sing, he was the deep bass for the FBC choir and the Faithful Men. Beyond his faithful service in the church, Kenneth also volunteered for over 20 years at Midland Memorial Hospital.Kenneth Travis was a faithful and dutiful son, husband and father. He is survived by his forever sweetheart, Theresa Marie Travis of Midland, his 4 children: Debra Denise Musick (Casey) of Humble, Tx; Gary Lee Travis (Bryanette) of Aransas Pass, Tx; James Duane Travis (Mary Jo) of Maple Valley, WA; and Kristi Kay Sberna (Salvatore) of Tomball, Texas; his 7 grandchildren: Tarah deShetler, Sean Travis, Colin Travis, Salvatore Sberna, KelcieKay Eaton, Reagan Travis, Garrison Travis, and 4 Great-Grandchildren; Dillon, Justin, Valentina and Luke;He is preceded in death by his parents: Wallace Irvy Travis and Gladys May (Quakenbush) Travis.The family would like to offer a special thank you and appreciation to Hospice of Midland. Thank you for your comforting and informing ways. We are forever grateful for the dignity and care and mercy with which you treated our loved one.In lieu of flowers, memorial donation may be made to the First Baptist Church of Midland, TX.,
