Travis Pond

[Matt Dagostino]

Thursday Services.........................

The details for the service are now on the home page under a seperate thread posted by Gary's daughter...............

[thunderracing]

we just found out about travis. my heart fell to the floor words just arent enough to say what a loss this is. so young. it wont be the same without travis at the races. we,ll miss him verry much. chuck,lin,breanna and grace.

[werners racing]

travis our buddy

We well miss travis very much we were just startin to become good friends him and gary always offered me boats to try and good deals on motors, we well miss his laughs and smiles very much werners racing.

[nightmoves]

The more I think about him

Man, that kid was funny! Yeah im going to miss him and I feel terrible about his passing. But I will remember all of the good times and side splitting laughs we had, he always could bring any bad situation to a laugh with a few words without any effort and I feel good that I had the pleasure of being a friend of his.
Rest in peace Travis! You wont be forgotten...

[csh12M]

I have no idea what to say that has not already been said here……

I would only see Travis at two or three races a year; however, the last several years he and I would always make a point of meeting up with one another and talking for a few minutes. The usual stuff, who was running fast in your part of the country ect. I know he and his dad were gunning hard for Miskerik in the 20SSH and I thought that was cool! He was one of the hard charging “young guns” of Stock Outboard and had developed into a fierce racer. As tough as he was on the course he was a clean driver and a great example of sportsmanship. As many have mentioned, I saw him at the nationals getting out of his boat and shaking the hand of the champion helping to lift the his rig onto the scales. From what I could tell about Travis off the course, he was very funny as hell and had an infectious personality that I envied. He was the type of person you just wanted to be around because he was hilarious. His humor also did not seem to be at anyone else’s expense, he was a nice kid. I also noticed that he treated adults politely and with respect. It was obvious that he was brought up “old school”, the right way. I don’t know how else to say it except that he seemed like a great kid! If my son grows up with the same qualities Travis displayed I will be very proud.

Please know that you are in the Sutherlands prayers, that God will grant you the strength to get through this time.

[Jeff5P]

To Gary and Marsha,

Our sincerest condolences. As parents to parents, we've watched your children grow and mature. We can't begin to know your grief. You're in our thoughts and prayers. If we can do anything, please let us know.

Travis was one of the happiest people we ever knew. I'll aways remember him smiling and saying, "Sure, I'll run CMR with you and Kevin", and then he'd make me earn every inch. I will miss him.


Jeff and Mary

[Jill10N]

to the Pond Family,
Marsha, Gary, Aimie, Abby and Jimmy. Ive been tring to think for the past few days of what to say and cant think of anything. Just know that we all love you so much and you are all in our thoughts and prayers. If there is anything we can do, please call us....even if its just to talk. God Bless.
~*Davids Family*~

[canoeincutie]

miss ya buddy

I have known Travis all of my life we are the same age and grew up together and raced together. Even though i hassled him about many things i loved him very much, when you grow up with someone like we did they become family. Boatracing is the most amazing extended family and to suffer a blow like this is heartbreaking. I will miss his smile, his goofy laugh, and his hugs. Whenever i saw him he would make sure to give me a hug and ask what i've been up too and then we would joke about how similar our dad's looked and all my dad needed to be Gary was a southern accent. I will miss him, but remebering the times will always bring a laugh. Race in Peace buddy
Laura

[leftcoastc-92]

I want to tell you how sorry I am to hear about Travis. My first Nationals
at Whitney Point he was the first one to come and talk to me. He made me
feel very welcomed. He always had a smile on his face every time I saw him.
He will be missed by ALL.
________
Club Royal Condo Wong Amat

[JULI SEAMAN]

My sincere condolences to the Pond family. I didn't know Travis personally but Matt always told me what a great kid he was; I knew Matt really meant it when he said he didn't mind Travis beating him out on time at the Divisionals, because now that meant Travis got to go to Wakefield. That said alot. Gary, my thoughts are with you and your family.

[Brian 13-V]

Everyone Loved Travis

There's nothing sexy or glamorous about dieing young, but being remember as someone who everone loved is a wonderful thing and terrible loss for the rest of us. His perpetual smile was infectious. Showing respect and deserving respect, Travis was a guy who people loved to be around.

Surreal to have to analyze my relationship with Travis, for all the wrong reasons I have to think of what a great guy he was. Not just a fun part of the after hours parties, both my brother and I completly acknoledged he had become a competitive threat. It was a matter of time, experience and opportunity that Travis Pond would have become a titlist. Not just a one timer either. With a seemingly relentless racecouse attitude, Travis emulated a young hard charger, cutting his teeth and about to prove he was an expert.

Gary, you gave your son amazing opportunities and he gave all of us smiles to last us our entire lives and thank goodness I knew Travis and his memories are with me.

My Deepest and Saddest Regrets,

Brian Palmquist

[crankbearing]

Amazing!

I only new travis for a short time, but at Sunday mornings drivers meeting it felt like an arrow pierced my heart, sad and heavy the day went on and we raced as we all know Travis would have wanted. I drove home thinking what was gods plan here. So Young, so talented and and so much to give. Like all of you, from the first time I met travis he infected me with his smile, he loved the sport and all people it contained, it did not seem to matter if you were young, old, rookie or veteran, I really think that Travis only saw friends in anyone he met.

Travis infected you with with boat racing by just talking with him and you could tell. I played guitar at Norwood this year and it was cold and the mosquitos were brutal but everytime I looked up Travis was right there singing along till the end of the night - just loving life.

To the pond family our hearts our heavy for you at this time and your extended family is here for you for as long as you need us.

Linda and David Scott

[Dominc24Q]

It is hard to put into words what Travis meant to our Boat Racing Family. He was a great friend, a firce competitor, and a good hearted person. I want to give my condolences to the entire Pond Family you are all in our hearts and in our prayers during this tragic time.

The Entire Feby's Racing Team

[G Stillwill]

To Gary, Marsha, and Travis my friends

I believe we are all part of a grand plan and when our part of the plan is complete we are all called back to complete another part of the plan.I thank God that I was able to share the time and the friendship of Travis while he was here, rest in peace my special friend. This is for Gary and Marsha and all the parents of our precious Sons and Daughters:

TO ALL PARENTS
“I’ll lend you, for a little while, a child of mine, “ HE said,

“For you to love while he lives, and mourn when he is dead.”

It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two, or three,

But, will you, ‘til I call him back take care of him for me?

He’ll bring his charms to gladden you, and shall his stay be brief,

you 'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay, as all from earth return,

But, there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.

I’ve looked the wide world over in my search for teachers true,

And, from the throngs that crowds life’s lanes, I have selected you.

Now will you give him all your love? Not think the labour vain,

Nor hate me when I come to call to take him back again.”

I fancied that I heard them say, “Dear Lord, thy will be done.

For all the joy this child shall bring, the risk of grief we’ll run.

We’ll shower him with tenderness and love him while we may,

And, for the happiness we’ve known, forever grateful stay.

And, should the angels call for him much sooner than we planned,

We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.”

[Gunjumper]

Wrong Way...

Travis, you are the goofiest friend I have, there wasn't a time that we talked that I didn't laugh and shake my head saying "only Travis..." You just kind of had your own look on life and events, never a hard feeling for anyone or anything. For sixteen years, you, Dom, Shawn, Rachel, Abby, Ryan and I grew up around this great sport together, and we've learned from one another. We would go all winter and not see each other, but at the first race in the spring we'd all pick up like it was yesterday. That redneck accent and goofy giggle will be in my memories for ever. I will see you someday my friend, keep a lane open for me. Greg Lyons