Obituary of Travis Odell Smith

Travis Odell Smith, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather was welcomed into heaven by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday morning, January 7, 2014. Travis was born in Grapeland, Texas on May 27, 1930 to Chester and Mary Smith. Travis graduated from Texas Tech University in 1951 with a teaching credential. He was a member of and coached on the University fencing team. He also completed ROTC and entered the army as a 2nd Lieutenant, which brought him to Fort Ord where he spent his 2 years of active duty. Upon arriving in California, he became a member of Peninsula Baptist Church of Monterey. It is there he met the love of his life Alice Marie Clough, and they were married on July 11, 1954. Travis, Alice, and family joined the First Baptist Church of Monterey in 1968 and have been members there ever since. Travis raised his family in Pacific Grove where he resided for 59 years. Ever the family man, Travis loved taking his wife, 3 boys, and 2 girls on memorable vacations across the United States. Travis spent 36 years as a 6th grade teacher in Chualar. Travis never met a stranger. The minute you met him, you became his friend. Whenever there was a new family in church on Sunday, he would be the first to welcome them and make them feel at home. He was a patriot who loved his country and kept an eye out for veterans and active service men and women in need. With a deep abiding love for his Savior, he lived his life demonstrating a servant's heart. His many ministries included picking up and driving children to Sunday School in the church bus for 16 years. He always made sure his family was taken care of, and that all folks around knew they were welcome in his home. Travis is survived by Alice, his wife of 59 years, Jeffery (Ruth), Joseph (Peggy), Jonathan (Heide), Genevieve Henry (Robert). He was pre-deceased by his daughter, Julianna. Grandchildren include, Andrew (Elizabeth), Hannah, Travis James (Beckie), Grant (Katie), Courtney (Brett), Chandra, Matthew, Brent, Cole, Christopher, Cameron, Georgia, and Gwyneth. Great-Grandchildren, Eva and Lucian. Memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Monterey, 600 Hawthorne, at 5:00 pm on Sunday, January 19th. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Monterey or a service member in need.