Travis Raymond Obendorf

Coast Guard Boatswain's Mate Third Class Petty Officer 4/6/1985 ~ 12/18/2013 28 Young Years Son of Ronald W. Obendorf (Dawn, stepmother) and Laurie Powell (Chad, stepfather).

Your smile and laughter could always brighten even the darkest of days.

How do you find the words to describe such an alive and beautiful soul? Kind, loving, generous, fun-loving. Passionate about everything he undertook. He was full of love and so loved by many.

He loved to cook and often called home to get instructions for his different ideas on marvelous dishes that he was creating. He loved animals. He enjoyed golf, basketball, martial arts, motorcycles and of course, there were the video games! He was exuberant about football and had an immense passion for music. He would be happy doing anything as long as he had his music.

He loved Christmas. The way Christmas lights reflect on the snow, and Christmas music. Thanksgiving marked the day his countdown to Christmas began, to allow him to start playing his Christmas music.

As a boy, he always wanted to do something that would help and to be a hero. And a hero he became. Being greatly affected by the events of 9/11, he joined the Coast Guard right out of high school. He was stationed in Astoria, Oregon; Bahrain; Kuwait; Iraq; Boston; and his most recent and last station was Alameda, California. He was assigned aboard the National Security Cutter Waesche, which took him on patrol to Alaska.

On November 11, 2013, Veterans Day, he received severe injuries while rescuing crew members from a disabled fishing vessel adrift north of Amak Island off the Alaska Peninsula. The Waesche responded, rescued 22 crew members and then towed the Alaska Mist to safety. Travis was flown to the Native Medical Center in Alaska and treated (as best could be) for traumatic brain injuries. He was then transported to Seattle to the Swedish Medical Center on December 6, where he later passed away December 18 due to complications from his injuries. He fought a long and valiant fight, the fight of a hero.

He was making plans for the future, wanting to return to Idaho Falls, where he hoped to buy a home to rent while he finished his duties in the Coast Guard and then pursue a career in law enforcement.

Our life, our love, our son. You will forever and always be in our hearts. We grieve not only for the loss of our son, but for all of the parents that have suffered the loss of a child. There is no greater pain, and our hearts go out to each and every one of you.

You will be missed by many more than could ever be named.

Sleep in heavenly peace our son, sleep in heavenly peace.

Mothers and Fathers hold their children's hands for just a little while ... And their hearts forever.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; Love leaves a memory no one can steal.

May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sunshine warm upon your face.

May the rains fall upon your fields.

And until we meet again, may the Lord hold you in the palm of his hand.

Family Tribute