Gene Ramsey Travis, Jr., of Lompoc died on Thursday, January 31, 2008, at the age of 49. He was born on March 16, 1958, to Gene and Carolyn Travis in Lancaster, California. When he was a year old, the family moved to Lompoc.

Gene was a graduate of Cabrillo High School. During his years there, he was a member of the Wrestling Team and was a "killer" handball player. His love of sports never ended, and he was the ultimate sports dad with his children.

Gene joined the United States Navy in 1975 and served at the end of the Viet Nam War in Hawaii and the Philippines. He was on active duty when the hostages were taken in Iran.

Gene was a carpenter employed by Wiser Property Management and Sales. He was a gourmet cook specializing in barbecue. He would generously feed everyone who came to his door. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved camping and ATVs.

Gene is survived by his fiancée, Shiree Florez; his children, R. J. and A. J. Florez, Samantha Starks, and Raya Travis; his mother, Carolyn Cain; his father and stepmother, Gene and Marty Travis; his sister, Cindy Willis; his stepsister, Stephanie Kennedy; his brother, Dale Curtis Travis, and his stepbrother, John Harter, all of Lompoc. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. His stepfather, Jack Cain, in 1989, and his brother, Wayne Travis, in 2002, and his four grandparents preceded Gene in death.

The visitation will be on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 from 4 to 8 pm at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. The graveside funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 1 pm in the pavilion of the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery led by Pastor Steve Petty of the First United Methodist Church of Lompoc.