TRAVIS JOE WHITFORD

Travis was born on May 11, 1933, in Earth, Texas. He passed away in Fresno, Ca. Sunday, December 5, 2010, with the family he loved so much by his side. He fought a courageous battle with leukemia, trying faithfully to conquer the disease. When Travis was seven years old, he lost his left forearm in a farm machinery accident. Everyone who knew Travis never thought for a moment that he was missing his left hand, as there wasn't anything he couldn't do. In high school, Travis played football and baseball and was Palo Alto High School's star pitcher. The family moved from Texas to California, first settling in Palo Alto, Ca. then to the Easton area where they farmed. Travis finished his senior year of high school and graduated from Washington Union in 1951. Travis attended two years at Reedley College and graduated in 1953. He then completed his Bachelor of Science in 1955 at California State University, Fresno. Travis worked at Producers Cotton Oil and Vendo Company where he made lifetime friends. Travis had an opportunity to join forces with State Farm Insurance Company and was an agent for 35 years and retired in 1996. His clients were like family and he had a great respect for all of them. After retirement, Travis and his wife Dee traveled in their RV, joining up with the many friends they had met through their travels. They enjoyed making trips down Mexico's mainland coast, trips to the desert, as well as Canada. They cherished their summer stays at Grover Beach, playing golf, having fish fries, and enjoyed spending time at the Oceano/Five Cities Elks Lodge where Travis was a member. They have wonderful memories of the fun cruises they went on with their group. They were blessed to have had such great times with their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, that they hold so close to their heart. Travis was the kind of person that once you met him, you knew him. He was a very loving and kind gentleman, always a smile on his face, a story or a joke to tell. He loved to hunt and fish and packin' in with his boys as well as hunting and fishing with his buddies. He also loved his horses, cowboy boots and hat, and rodeo time with all the friends during this annual occasion. The family would like to thank Dr. Ravi Rao and his staff, Dr. Greenberg and all the gals in the Research Clinic at Stanford Hospital, Saint Agnes Medical Center staff and the friendship of the staff in the blood room for the concern and kindness given over the last two years.Thank you to Horizon Health for giving their love and kindness in his final days. He loved all of you and was so grateful for your thoughtfulness. God bless you. Travis was preceded in death by his parents, Hollis and Lora Whitford; sister, June Banning; and brother, Harley Whitford. He was a wonderful husband and a great "Pop" full of love. Travis is survived by his wife "Dee", the Love of his life, his sole mate and best friend; daughters, Lora Heryford and her husband Brian, Linda Nebeker and her husband Dennis, and Jill Torres and her husband Paul; son, Jeff Franklin and his wife Vicki; grandchildren, Ryan Nebeker, Nick Heryford and his wife Erin, Sarah Hamm and her husband Gary, Jonathan Heryford, Evan Nebeker, Ashley Torres, Valerie Franklin, Brooke Franklin, and Paul Torres; great-grandchildren, Baylee, Rylee, and Ramzee Hamm and Noah and Joshua Heryford. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Reed and brothers, Robert Whitford and his wife Edna, and Weldon and his wife Jeannie and many nieces and nephews. He will be missed so much by all who knew him. A Memorial Service will be held at the Clovis Veterans Memorial Building, 508 4th Street, Clovis, Ca. on Thursday, January 6, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. Memorial remembrances may be made to the Northpark Community Church, 2297 E. Shepherd Ave., Fresno, Ca 93720. BOICE FUNERAL HOME 308 Pollasky Avenue Clovis, Ca. (559)299-4372 www.boicefuneralhome.com