Charleston, South Carolina
CHARLESTON-Father Francis Joseph Travis, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Camden and vicar of retired priests for the Diocese of Charleston, died Wednesday, January 22, 2014. He was 60.
The Vigil for the Deceased will be held at 7:00 PM, Sunday, January 26, 2014, in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 1709 Lyttleton St., Camden. Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Monday, January 27, 2014, at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 120 Broad St., Charleston. Visitation will be held at the Cathedral from 9:30 AM until 10:45 AM prior to Mass. The Rite of Committal will be at Holy Cross Cemetery on James Island. His guestbook may be signed online at JamesAMcAlister.com.
Father Travis was born August 9, 1953, in Wheeling, W.V., to James and Delores Schlick Travis. He was a graduate of Bishop England High School in Charleston and St. Mary College in St. Mary, Ky., where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He attended St. Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., and earned his Master of Divinity from St. Gregory's Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was ordained by Bishop Ernest L. Unterkoefler at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on December 6, 1981. His pastoral assignments in the diocese included: associate pastor at St. Joseph in Anderson from 1981-82; associate pastor at Blessed Sacrament in Charleston from 1982-84; parochial vicar at St. Joseph in Columbia from 1984-86; parochial vicar at St. Mary in Greenville from 1986-88; pastor of McClellanville Mission and the Church of the Divine Teacher at The Citadel in Charleston, both from 1988-89; pastor of Holy Cross in Pickens and St. Luke Mission in Easley from 1994-2004; and pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help since 2004.
Father Travis also served as vicar for youth for the diocese, youth moderator for the Piedmont vicariate and chaplain to the Charleston Police Department.
He is survived by three brothers; Martin Travis and his wife, Leigh, of Charleston, James Travis of Summerville, and Joseph Travis of North Charleston, as well as an uncle, Father Regis Schlick of Pittsburg, Pa. Memorial donations may be made to: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 1709 Lyttleton St., Camden, SC 29020. Arrangements by JAMES A. MCALISTER.
Father Frank was in the first class I taught at Emmitsburg; what a delight he was to all of us. I know he was a wonderful priest after the Heart of the Master. God grant him rest eternal!
April 11, 2014
Father Travis is in my prayers. He was very kind and encouraged me through many family and life situations. He also presided at my father's memorial service in November 2008 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Camden, SC. He met with everyone in our family and helped us create a ceremony that was inclusive and not too heavy on the Catholic rituals – as he knew my dad did not attend church regularly. He really was a blessing to our whole family.
Caroline Francklyn
March 16, 2014 | Fort Collins, CO
Fr. Travis was a fine Priest and a great friend. Many Years ago He gave my son his First Holy Communion, and was the Priest at my daughters Confirmation while we attended St. Luke Mission Church in Easley, SC. We will miss him, G. Schultz Family ( Gary, Beth Amanda and Andrew )
Beth Schultz
January 31, 2014 | Williamston, SC
God bless your family! Father Travis was a great example of an awesome priest. He served our parish of St. Luke's in Powdersville, SC. All of our children grew up in the church. Fr. Travis helped my husband become Catholic. They had some great discussions. He was a good friend and mentor to our family! Thank God for him! May God be with you in this time of sorrow.
Jim and Weezie Schultz
January 30, 2014 | Baton Rouge, LA, LA
Expressing sorry for the loss of Father Francis Travis he has gone home to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ he always was kind and a gentle person at Bishop England looks as though he knew the way and truth God bless Father Travis and his very loving family
John Daniel Johnson
January 30, 2014 | Mt Pleasant, SC
Sorry for your loss and may you find comfort in God's Word recorded at Psalms 91:2 during this difficult time.
kb
January 26, 2014
Father Travis was the finest man of God I have known, I was truly blessed to have known him.
When my wife Marie passed away at 50 in 2008' he always said he was praying for us. I also remember as we wereconverts how during the service he explained what was happening to the non Catholics, it is my best memory of him at at a time I felt alone I knew he a God were with me.
Kirk Morrison
January 26, 2014 | Lugoff, SC
Fr. Travis was a great and humble man. From his early days at Blessed Sacrament when I was a high school junior/ senior, to my early years in the Army, and on to when he gave the homilies at my father's and brother's funerals- what a special friend he was to me and all the Mitchum's. I will miss him.
Jamie Mitchum
January 26, 2014 | Wiesbaden, Germany
Marty and family, I am sorry for the loss of your brother. I will keep you all in my prayers. (Marty - we attended St. Johns together.)
Kathy Griffin McCoy
January 26, 2014 | Florence, SC