Remebering Travis

[canoeincutie]

I just wanted to take a moment to remeber my buddy Travis on this the worst of anniversaries. Travis I think of you every day, I miss watching you walk down the pits with your big smile. I can't believe it has already been a year. My Friend, my opponent, my brother in racing. Race in peace Travis.
Love,
Laura

[Jack Stotts]

I share in your loss. I didn't get to see this young man often enough living in Texas but every time I did see him he had that smile that we all grew to expect from him. I might add, that seldom ,if ever, were we left without it. Travis was an inspiration to all who met him. Always a gentleman and fun to be around. I was crushed last year at Franklin when his loss was announced at the drivers' meeting. Yes, he is missed. We can all strive to be as friendly and helpful as he was to everyone, without exception. I too miss him and do so every time I'm racing up north. Jack

[Matt Dagostino]

Gary, Marsha Abby and Amy............

We will never forget that call to Franklin last year at the drivers meeting. It still doesn't seem real.

We will always remember Travis.

See you guys friday!

Matt & Val

[G Stillwill]

To this day its hard to believe Travis is gone but I believe hes is still at every race with that big smile on his face looking down on all of us. Rest in peace my friend.

[Jill10N]

Travis was contagious. Every time he laughed, everyone else did. When he smiled everyone smiled. He was an amazing racer and an even better friend. I think of you everyday Travis. You would be so proud of all of us. How terrible it was to loose you, we have all found the strength to grow and love each other even more. I’ve gotten a lot of text messages this morning just saying "I love you" to me and I’ve sent them too and I know that more people out there are doing the same. Its a sad day and as I sit here tearing up thinking about all the great times we all shared with you, Travis, I also laugh and smile because I know so many other people share the same memories and no matter what, you were always laughing or making others laugh. You will be forever loved and missed and through the years we will grow together because we all share something incredible in common... and that’s you Travis.
~*Jillian "cupcake" Davids*~

[14-H]

My Sincerest Condolences

I too wish the Pond Family the best. Keep the memories close to heart and mind. They will sustain you. Ed Hearn.

[Gunjumper]

Wrong Way...

I've clicked on 'post reply' four times now and each time I sit and stare at a blank screen. The best poetic writing or most sincere condolences just don't seem to due. Gary, Marsha, Aimmie, Abby, and Jimmie, we all love you so much. I'm gonna see you someday my friend, and you'll probably have a Mountain Dew in one hand and a Marlboro in the other hiding behind a cloud saying "is my dad coming?". This cursor has been blinking for almost 30 minutes, so many memories, looking foward to the future, your with me everywhere I go buddy. Greg

[3rd Chance]

Greg,

I couldn't have put it any better brother..................we miss ya Travis

[mike ross]

Gary he was with us all year long thanks to Miss Vickey Smith. The 4-E lives and we choose a driver to be guilded by him every weekend we have the General Lee in the trailer. We will run it under his memory till someone destroys it. We were just announcing last weekend what the whole deal was to the crowd at Brighton MI. He was a great driver and a greater person.
Your Buddy Forever!!!!!! Budda

[stu_racing]

The overwhelming support to maintain the memory has been overwhelming. From the support a year ago, to the continuing support a year later.
I know I only met Travis once at Norwood but he left an impression on me that will last forever, just like he did with so many others. I hope the Pond family the best.

[PopPop]

Travis' spirit lives in all of us.

[racerchic3z]

How I wish, how I wish you were here....

"I can't believe it's been a year" has been the thought running through my mind the most during the last couple of days. It's still a hard concept to grasp. Sometimes, I look at his picture and it takes time to register reality. I remember it like it was yesterday, and it still hurts like it was yesterday.

The emotions are so overwhelming, I can't even put it into words, but you all know what I'm talking about. It's the bond that we in the racing community have. Travis brought so much to us. I thank God for every wonderful day we had with him, and I thank Gary and Marsha for sharing him with us at the races.

I've told some of you this story before, but I want to share it with everyone. At Dayton, OH this year, I was walking around the pits with Robert Luce. (For those of you who don't know him, he's 5 years old.) We got to Greg's trailer where there is a picture of Greg and Travis. He points to Travis and says "Who's that?" I answer him, "That's Travis. Do you remember Travis?" He pauses, and thinks very brief. "He got into a car accident." "Yeah, he did," I said, "I miss Travis a lot". It was his response that brought tears to my eyes" "Maybe one day, another Travis will come to town, and you'll like him, and you'll love him too." Only a child's innocence could have the impact that he did.

Greg said it perfectly.

I love you and I miss you, Travis.


Stacy

[Jeff5P]

Gary, Marsha, Amy, Abby, and Jimmy

Your strength and courage has helped the rest of us this year in more ways than you will ever know. All of you, like Travis, will be in our hearts forever.

Jeff and Mary

[Dick Tyndall]

Travis.............

I've been reading all of what has been posted here about Travis and there is not much that I can add to what has already been said. It hurts me to see a friend of mine hurting because he lost a son. Gary and I talk about Travis a lot going up and down the road to the races, etc. I'm the first one to reach for the tissue box, but I think it does us both some good to keep him in the conversation every now and then. So many stories, you know?
I wanted to share a couple of pictures with everyone here that really define the type of person Travis was and the Travis that we all knew. Both of these pictures were taken at Camden, NC on April 10th, 2004. The first picture was taken just before Travis roped the 102 for my first ride in a racing hydroplane boat. After taking some laps I came in, cut the motor and when Travis caught the boat I could see that big grin on his face. He knew exactly what I was feeling right at that moment. That's something you never forget.
The next picture speaks for itself..............Travis up over the steering wheel to keep from blowing over AND THE BOAT IS COMPLETELY OUT OF THE WATER. The GPS read 69.9 MPH when he came back in...............and that grin was there again. I miss him, too.

[aojesus]

I never had the pleasure of meeting Travis, but the posts from last year and this year speak volumes toward his character. Last week I put a tape in the VCR from the Nationals in Michigan I believe from the mid to late 90's. There was some great coverage of Travis. It was very nice to watch him in the video and I rewound it several times and replayed it.

The posts are outstanding, and in a way, have allowed me to meet him. I thank all who have posted for that, and I will continue to keep his family and friends in my heart and prayers.

RussW.