Hal Gene Travis

Hal G. Travis, born February 26, 1953, died Sunday morning, October 26, in Chapel Hill, NC, after living for eight years with cancer. He was born in Western Kentucky, grew up in Mayfield, KY, but lived all of his adult life as a resident of Oak Ridge and Knoxville, TN. Hal is a graduate of Mayfield High School, University of Kentucky (BS in Electrical Engineering), and The University of Tennessee (MS in Engineering Administration). For 42 years he was employed in engineering and management in the Oak Ridge energy systems. He was a life-long and very faithful United Methodist.

Hal was preceded in death by his father Clifton Travis; mother, Ruth; and step-mother, Dorothy; and his father- and mother-in-law, Ben and Bess St. Clair.

Hal is survived by his wife of 46 years, Anne St. Clair Travis; his daughter, Clair Travis Sauer, and her husband, Ken; his daughter, Lindsay Travis Bedford, and her husband, Jim; and his grandchildren, Mary Ellen and Owen Sauer, Bryce and Eliza Bedford. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Susan St. Clair Cox; his brother-in-law, Bob St. Clair; and his brother-in-law, David St. Clair, and his wife Marcia, along with many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

As a churchman, Hal actively served on the local church, conference, and general church levels. His most recent faith commitment saw him involved in the Magnolia Avenue Food Ministry through his church family at Ebenezer United Methodist. He was also an active member of The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.

Hal was an enthusiastic outdoorsman, loving the mountains, rivers, and lakes of this region. He was a tireless worker, whether in his vocation or at his hobbies. He was committed to the best ideals of his country and he was a faithful servant of his Lord. Hal’s quiet strength, his delightful sense of humor, his quick and ready smile, his capacity to fix any broken thing, his unswerving devotion, his immense courage, and his intense determination sustained his family and inspired his friends. It is fitting that the life of this saint among us is being celebrated on All Saints’ Day.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 1, at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge. The service will be officiated by Rev. Ken Sauer, Rev. Mike Sluder, and Rev. Austin Byerly. The family will greet friends from 12:30 until 2:00 at the church.

Memorial gifts for Hal Travis may be directed to the Magnolia Avenue Food Ministry at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, PO Box 31047, Knoxville, TN 37930, or to the Community Assistance Fund of First United Methodist Church, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.