Travis Pond

[MGallagher]

Travis is, and always will be one of those guys that just got you in the mood to race. He was a feirce and respectable competetor, always running up to the person he just beat or got beaten by and shaking his/her hand after a good race. He was a gentleman and had a passion for life that can only come from a family like his.

On behalf of the entire Gallagher Family("Zip" included Garry), God bless you Travis and may God bless your family in this time of greif.

Matt Gallagher
58J

[DrRick34-0]

Our prayers go out to the Pond family. I first met the Pond's at Whitney Point '04 Nationals. They had an extra pit spot and saved it for us Okies. We had an enjoyable week hanging around both Gary and Travis. This year at the Nationals, I broke my lower unit skag in the elimination heats of 20 and Gary without any hesitation let me borrow one even though I was running against Travis. Travis definitely had an infectious smile that made us all feel very good. People like the Pond family is why we all drive all over the country to race boats. Again our prayers go out to you from your racing family in Oklahoma.

Rick Miller
34-0

[Jack Stotts]

I too was crushed at the news of the loss of Travis. What a great young man! It was wonderful to watch this guy mature into the adult that he had become. The news, when it was announced at the drivers' meeting, left us all in shock.

My condolences to the entire family. I consider it an honor to have known Travis.

[14J]

On the morning of April 22nd 2006 I paced about the pits of Wilson, NC with the anticipation of a child on Christmas morning. This was the morning I was to take delivery of a brand new hydroplane, marking the end of a ten year hiatus from boat racing. What I received that morning was much more than a boat.

As Travis and I slid the new hydroplane from the Pond trailer I became reacquainted with a young man who I had last known as a child. As the weeks progressed his unwavering generosity would make me feel as if I were a teammate. As the summer passed the relationship would grow. Travis was a weekly reminder of everything that was good in boat racing.

What I received some five months ago in North Carolina was a Friend. As most boat racers would tell you these friends were more like Family Members. This is why we packed the trailer each Friday, to see the smiling faces of people like Travis.

Travis was passionate, giving, and loyal. In many ways he was like a brother and will be missed as such. Heather and I were truly blessed to have had you in our lives.

To the Pond family –

Words can not express our sorrow. May you find strength in God, each other, and your friends. Thank you for sharing a remarkable young man.

Troy and Heather Gladkowski

[NUT2F]

Gary,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Pond family. Travis was one of a kind, he had a way of making you smile and laugh the minute you saw him. He was a great young man, he will be missed but never forgotten.

Peanut, Maryalice, Joey and Justin

[dholt]

It was s a pleasure knowing and racing against Travis. He raced hard, but clean, and always exhibited respect for others on and off the race course. His enthusiasm will be missed.

The world could use more people like him.

To the Pond family, our deepest condolences.


Team Holt

[upsford]

Our deepest sympathy to the Pond family, Travis will truely be missed by all. May God Bless you at this trying time.

Rich Palys
No Smoke Racing

[HYDRO21Z]

One of the finest

Gary and Marsha,
Words cannot express the sadness at hearing of the loss of Travis.
Watching him grow up each summer, seeing how much he had grown over the winters, and having his shining personality in the pits was one of the many
blessings joining the boat racing family gave me.
The both of you raised one of the finest young men I ever had the pleasure of knowing.
He will be missed, and long remembered.
If I can do anything for your family please let me know, I will be there for you.
God Bless, and I will keep you all in my prayers.
Love,
Dennis Burke

[sam]

Gary and Marsha, I too am proud to have seen Travis grow from a little boy at his father's side at the races, to a young man I could call my friend and, more importantly, to be able point him out as an example of the good in all of us

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Pond family,

Sam Cullis, Leeann Steuer & Irie Cullis

[Matt Dagostino]

Gary & Marsha.........................

You know I will always have Travis in my thoughts................I will always be there for you guys the way you have always been there for me and the kids.
Matt, Val & Justin

[Bob Dunlap]

Our deepest sympathy goes out the Gary and Marsha and the entire family.You will be in our prayers. I can only imagine what you are going thru, we all are hurting with you and are here to support you. It's still such a shock for us all, more than words can express. Yesterday was a sad and somber day at the races and today isn't much better. We all loved Travis, he was like a son to me and everyone who knew him felt he was a true part of the "Family". Travis was a great young man, his smile and attitude were some of the things that made him stand out. All the Pond family is so loved by us that know them well and losing Travis is a tragedy that we will have to live with for a long time.

[LISA JENNINGS]

I'm at a loss for words

Dear Gary, Marsha, Aimie, Abby & Jimmy,
We can't even begin to put into words how much your son meant to our family , we will miss him dearly. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. If you need anything at all you have our phone number.
Love,
Alex, Lisa, Ashlei & AJ Jennings

[Mike 41P]

Gary, Marsha and family
I will always miss Travis. I was there when he earned his Wrong Way tag when he was starting J and I watched him grow up into a great young man. Everyone who knew Travis is praying for and with you.
Mike Thierfelder

[GOOBER]

we will all miss you

One of the fondest memories for me of Travis was at Denton Maryland. Travis was still running "J" at that time. Gary had him out testing and when he made the ninty degree turn he ended up in the lillypads. When Travis was brought in he told Gary he did not want to get back in the boat. All day that day they could not convince him to get back in the boat. Finally I talked him into getting in the boat with me, I took him out around the course for about three or four laps. After we came back in he was rehooked on racing and has not looked back since. I have always thought of Travis as a little brother. He was always coming down to go testing with us. I will truly miss my friend.
TRAVIS "WRONG WAY" "LAMONTE" POND


KEVIN HARRELL 1-Z

[csh2z]

So many memories

Simple words cannot express our sympathy for the loss of a great kid. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through a time that very few can appreciate. We all loved Travis and will miss him. Our (racing) family has taken another hit, but together we will all find the strength to move on.
Travis, May God bless you. You'll never be forgotten. The Runne's