Terry Travis

Terry Allen "Trav" Travis, 58 of Des Moines, formerly of Mount Vernon, died Thursday, July 29, 2004 at the Veteran's Home, Marshalltown from kidney failure due to diabetes. Services for Terry will be 4:30 p.m., Monday, at Morgan Funeral and Cremation Choices, Mount Vernon Chapel by the Reverend Tom Mattson, where the family will greet friends from 3:30 until service time. Friends may call Sunday from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the chapel. Burial Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery with military rites. Terry is survived by his mother Maxine Travis Novak and step father Frank Novak, of Cedar Rapids, two brothers: Tom and wife Ginny of Coralville and Bill and wife Terri of Shellsburg, and a sister Peggy and husband Michael Powell of Toddville. Terry is also survived by four step brothers: Mike and Mary Novak, Tom and Betty Novak, Jim and Susan Novak, and Dennis and Heather Novak, two step-sisters: Mary Kay and Pat McGrath and Janet and Tom Kleofer, two nieces: Andie Powell and Ashley Travis, two nephews: Brad Powell and Mathew Travis, a special nephew David Edleman of Sarasota, Florida and many aunts and uncles. Preceding Terry in death were his father Dale Travis, his grandparents: Carl and Edna Travis, and Henry and Agnes Harris, two aunts: Betty Edleman and "Brownie" Fritz, and a nephew Nick Travis. Terry was born April 30, 1946 at Mercy Hospital, Cedar Rapids, the first of four children of Dale and Maxine Harris Travis. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1964. Terry was a Viet Nam War Veteran, serving with the United States Air Force from 1964 until his discharge in 1968. He worked with the Security Police at Vandenberg, S.A.C., Air Force Base at Lompoc, California and the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. He was a Life Member of the Amvets Post #2 of Des Moines. Terry attended Allan Hancock Junior College, from 1964-1968, D.M.A.C.C. in 1972, Dale Carnegie Training in 1972, and the University of Oklahoma in 1980. Terry worked from 1968 until 1969 at Collins Radio Co. He worked with the FBI in the Washington D.C. Photographic Department in1969. Terry also worked for Proctor and Gamble at Iowa City and the Kelly Detective Service Agency in 1970. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service at Mount Vernon from 1958 until 1964 delivering "Specials." He worked for the Postal Service at Des Moines, starting in 1970 retiring in 1995 as a Maintenance Support Clerk. He was an active member of the Des Moines Clerk Craft, American Postal Workers Union. He served his union as Director of Human Relations, receiving two Special Service Awards in 1983 and 1985. Terry was a past Chairman of the Board of the South Central Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO at Des Moines and was a member of the Graduate Union Counselor's Association. He was past editor for their union newspaper, the Iowa Postal Solidarity Newspaper. He composed two songs; "Life of Memories," and "Shut-Out," and authored "My Works," a collection of all of his music to date. Terry appeared in three motion pictures and appeared on regional cable T.V. Terry loved to entertain as "Sabby" the gorilla at hospitals and private parties. Terry was a Life Member of the National Kidney Foundation of Iowa, the Commodore Computer Club. His special interest was working with the Variety Club of Iowa, where he received many Special Achievement Awards. He assisted Dic Young at K.I.O.A. 93.3 FM, "Oldies" radio show in Des Moines. Terry was a member of B.A.S.S., and authored fishing articles for Commuter Magazine, and appeared on K.C.B.C. television's fishing shows. Terry was a real humanitarian, receiving Certificates of Appreciation from the Muscular Dystrophy Association and United Cerebral Palsy. He was a member of the U.S. Jaycees receiving several certificates of merit. Terry was a very kind, loving, and considerate person, helping everyone. He will be greatly missed by his family and many, many friends. Terry's favorite quote was; "nothing is impossible, just improbable," "Keep Smile'n On." Memorials for the Terry Travis Memorial Fund, may be mailed to Maxine Travis Novak, 24 26th Ave., S.W., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52404.