Travis Lacy Rushing

With much sadness, we share that Travis Lacy Rushing passed away on February 26, 2025. Born on September 17, 1944, in Columbia, South Carolina, to Frances Terry Rushing and Travis Lacy Rushing, Travis spent his childhood in Tucson, Arizona. His mother's Southern Baptist upbringing shaped his early sense of faith, which later evolved into a lifelong curiosity and independent spirit.

He grew up with his beloved siblings, Becky, Phil, and Cathy, and fondly recalled riding the school bus with classmate Johnny Deutschendorf (John Denver) and listening to another classmate, Linda Ronstadt, sing (well before she launched her career). Travis graduated from the University of Arizona with an aerospace engineering degree and went to work for Procter & Gamble at their Long Beach, California, plant. In 1968, Travis married Diane Wolff. Their first daughter, Sara Lacy, was born in Long Beach in 1972. They moved to Cincinnati in 1973, and they had their second daughter, Jill Diane, in 1974. In 1975, the family moved to Chicago (Glencoe), and Travis Parker (Tip) was born in 1976. They spent 10 years in Glencoe, where Travis was a devoted father who embraced family life with energy and enthusiasm-whether it was running marathons and triathlons, driving his old red Triumph convertible to the town beach (with all five of them and a cooler crammed in for the 2-mile trip), playing softball, learning to ice skate (hard for a desert boy), building floats for their neighborhood entry in the 4th of July parade, or putting up a Maypole for his children's birthdays. In 1985, Travis was transferred to Cincinnati, Procter & Gamble's corporate headquarters, and the family moved to the town of Wyoming, OH. Two years later, Travis and Diane divorced, and they maintained a lifelong friendship.

Years after his divorce, Travis was fortunate to meet Julie Norman, who became not only his beloved wife but also a cherished stepmother to his children. Their love story was one of deep devotion, laughter, and adventure. When they married in 1997, their families became one, as Sara, Jill, and Tip welcomed their step sisters Dee Dee, Stephie, and Carrie into their lives. Sadly, in 2001, Travis lost his son Tip after a long battle with depression.

After decades of leadership at Procter & Gamble, where he rose to the rank of Director in global supply chain management, Travis retired and returned to his beloved desert, designing and building his dream home in Prescott, Arizona. While Julie continued building her interior design business, Travis redirected his energies to volunteer work, cowboying, hunting, fishing, skiing, and hiking. He loved to share their beautiful adobe hacienda with the community, hosting everything from fundraisers to gatherings with friends and family. His favorite place was on the patio, savoring a glass of single malt scotch while watching the sun set over the majestic mountain, Thumb Butte. His involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters spanned nearly two decades, during which he served as Chairman of the Board and as a dedicated board member for many years. In 2008, Travis was honored as Arizona's "Big Brother of the Year." His dedication to volunteer work was further recognized in 2015 when he was named the Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County's Philanthropist of the Year. He was also deeply committed to Boys to Men Mentoring of North Central Arizona, serving as Board President and actively participating in rites of passage weekends, guiding vulnerable boys toward emotional growth and a strong sense of community service. His greatest influence and joy, however, was being a "Big," mentoring his "Little Brother," Michael Molina, a bond that lasted a lifetime.

Travis embraced every adventure, whether rounding up cattle on ranches, riding his horse Rocket, or rafting down the Verde River. He especially cherished the annual spring week spent riding 100 miles with the Desert Caballeros out of Wickenburg, AZ, traversing the Sonoran Desert and camping for five nights. He was a proud member of the "Poor Boy" camp and was responsible for its "greenies" (first-time riders) introduction to the ride. He was honored with the "Top Hand" award for his sportsmanship and camaraderie and served for years on their board of directors.

The adventures continued in Montana, where he and Julie built a home (fondly known as T-M) in 2006 with their nephew, Michael Gerhart, on the Madison River to pursue his love for fly fishing and big sky country. At the cabin, he found equal joy in life's simpler moments-teaching his grandchildren to fish, fly kites, and soaking in the vast beauty of the Montana sky from his porch. Travis, Julie, and Michael cherished sharing the "last best place" with family and friends.

In 2022, as his health began to decline, they made the thoughtful decision to move to  Winnetka, Illinois , to be closer to family. Throughout it all, his humor, boundless curiosity, and deep appreciation for life remained unwavering. He found joy in the simplest moments-a robin in a birdbath, the steadfast love of their dog Maddie, watching his grandsons play ice hockey, and savoring every "bulletproof blue sky" day.

Travis's time was cut short by a sudden diagnosis of Stage 4 lung cancer, discovered just weeks before his passing. One of his lifelong mantras was, "When it's your time, it's your time." He often said, "When my ride is over, there better not be any fuel in the tank. I want it all gone, for then I will have lived the life I chose." Travis taught us to hug hard, live with passion, and face life fearlessly. His presence was larger than life, and those fortunate enough to know him will carry his legacy and spirit forward.

Travis was preceded in death by his parents, Frances and Lacy; his sister, Rebecca Gay Rushing York; his son, Travis Parker Rushing; and his brother-in-law, Nicholas Vontsolos. He is survived by his devoted wife, Julie Rushing; daughters Sara Rushing (Scott Powell, Augusta, Bella, and Will Powell-Rushing) and Jill Rushing Fonte (Joseph Fonte, Marco, and Leo); stepdaughters Dee Dee Carr (Peter Carr, Cate, Margaret, and George), Stephanie Lutz (Sean Lutz, Graham, and Hunter), and Carrie Norman (Adam Modesitt, Jules, and Cece); brother Phillip Rushing (Sue) and nephew Joel Rushing (Jenna) and family; sister Cathy Vontsolos (nephews Alexi, George, and Michael and their families); nephew Michael Gerhart (Catalina Larranaga); nephew Marc Gerhart (Paula) and family; niece Michelle Round (Tom) and family; sister-in-law, Joyce Brown; brother-in-law, Michael Filzenger (Colleen) and family; and many dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Travis' memory to either of the following organizations: Yavapi Big Brothers Big Sisters or Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapi County.