Wayne Allen Travis Sr., a longtime resident of Fairhope, died peacefully on Dec. 7, 2013.
Wayne was born May 7, 1939 in Queens, N.Y. He grew up in both Mobile and Baldwin counties, spending the school months at the Catholic Boy’s Home (CBH) and summer months on the family farm in Summerdale.
He always reminisced of his times marching and playing trumpet in the CHB Band.
In 1957 he graduated from McGill Institute, where he lettered in track and field.
He attended Spring Hill College with a concentration in business and finance, and was a member of the ROTC Band.
He started his professional career with Smith’s Bakery in Mobile, and worked for 18 years as an executive assistant.
For more than 10 years, he was comptroller for Emperor Clock Co. in Fairhope, and retired from his professional career of more than 20 years as comptroller for Industrial Valve in Saraland.
Wayne had love for the natural and simple things he enjoyed. He loved to garden and had that “green thumb” to grow anything.
He fished the local waters all his life. It was a skill and passion he taught to his sons, and one he enjoyed with family and friends.
An avid boater and weather enthusiast, Wayne served many years as a member and past commander of the Fairhope Power Squadron.
He taught courses in weather, and could forecast it better than most. His knowledge of history and interest in real-time current events was a testament of his quick wittedness and ability to converse about anything with most anyone.
Wayne leaves his family a treasure and lifetime of memories. He will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew him.
He was preceded in death by his second wife, Doris Elizabeth Travis.
He is survived by his mother, Aldona “Granny” Travis; his wife, Milady Elaine Travis; his brother, Charles “Charlie” Anthony Travis (Glenda); his sister, Marilyn Travis Sides; his first wife, Sandra Travis Hathaway (David); his five children, Robin Travis Coffey (Steve), Wayne “Happy” Allen Travis Jr., Mark Edwin Travis, Tracey Travis Malinauskis (Mal) and Adam Patrick Travis; two stepdaughters, Marion Stommel-Hatzidimoulas (Lissis) and Stefanie Stommel Davis (Brad); eight grandchildren, Kyle Steven Coffey, Katie Coffey Zoghby (Garrett), Trevor Austin Travis, Zachary Michael Travis, Sarah Elizabeth Malinauskis, Erin Kailyn Travis, Abigail Francis Travis and Caroline Elisabeth Davis; one great-granddaughter, Mary Hyland Zoghby; and many other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 13, 2013, from 5-8 p.m., at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home in Fairhope.
A private memorial and celebration of life will be held on May 7, 2014.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Baldwin County Humane Society.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Fairhope.
