Michael Wayne Travis Sr., 66, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, February 14, 2022. Michael did not wish to have a funeral or memorial service. He wanted to be cremated and for immediate family to have a private service at a later date.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Felts Travis, and mother, Ruth Joann (McFarland) Travis. He is survived by his wife of 31 years Crystal Ann (Manning) Travis, his son Michael Wayne Travis Jr., daughters Candice Marie (Travis) Walker and Brittany Anne (Travis) Appell and husband Josiah Appell, his granddaughters Gretchen, Julie, Leah, Deanna, Katherine, Susan, Trinity, and Kristy, his seven great-grandchildren, and his siblings Mark Travis (Nelkis) and Carla Smart (Steve).

Michael was born on November 12, 1955, in Louisville, Kentucky, to the late Robert and Joann (McFarland) Travis. Michael accepted Christ as his personal Savior and received his free gift of salvation at the age of 7. Some of Mike's fondest memories of childhood occurred while he and his family were in Mombasa, Kenya, as missionaries. He enjoyed learning how to build houses, climbing mango trees with his brother Mark, and going on safaris and seeing the beauty of the plains of East Africa. Mike developed his loved for drafting and construction as early as high school when he took a drafting class. He attended Lenior Community College in Greenville, North Carolina, for a short time to grow his talents and abilities. Mike started working for JM Thompson Co. in 1985 and continued working there for 36 years until his retirement in 2021. Mike loved his job and the people he worked with and considered them part of his family. Mike loved making things in his shop, working on different projects around the house, and looking for opportunities to use his skills to help others. One could often find him doing those things while listening to the Bible Broadcasting Network (92.5) or listening to a playlist of music his daughter Brittany made for him. Michael's life was characterized by his hard work, his desire to help those around him, and his faith and trust in God.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

In lieu of flowers, Michael requested that memorial gifts be sent to the Music Department at Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa, and designated for Ensemble Tours or the General Music Fund.  http://faith.edu/friends-of-music