GR Travis Passed Away

[rgcraig]

From Bonita - My awesome Dad went to be with the Lord at 1:25 a.m. I grieve our loss while celebrating his homegoing. He leaves us a legacy beyond description.

[rgcraig]

posted on www.caringbridge.org/visit/grtravis
Monday, September 7, 2009 5:14 AM, CDT

It is with deepest sorrow yet great rejoicing that I grieve and celebrate the homegoing of the most Christ-like man I've ever known. Dad peacefully went to be with the Lord on September 7, 2009, at 1:25 a.m., surrounded by his entire family that he loved so much...all 19 of us were together.

Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m., prior to his homegoing service on Friday, September 11, 2009, at 7:00 p.m., at the Mississippi District United Pentecostal Church Campgrounds located at 10332 Highway 18 West, Raymond, MS. Interment will be at First United Pentecostal Church, 1117 Highway 98 East, McComb, MS, at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of floral gifts, Dad's request is that donations be made to Mississppi District United Pentecostal Church G. R. Travis Memorial Fund to further revival in Mississippi.

A tribute will be forthcoming at a later time when I can collect my thoughts.

[timlan2057]

Coming to JCM in 1975 when it was down Highway 18 on the Mississippi Campground, the first thing I did was scope out the local scene as far as the Mississippi District.

Lee J Edwards was District Superintendent at the time and he was a likeable man.

I suppose I was most impressed though, with a thoroughly unpretentious Southern gentleman who was District Secretary then--Glen Ray Travis.

Looking back, he represented what was good about the old south that I love so much. He was a southern gentleman--a Christian gentleman. He was thoroughly polished and not at all rough-hewn like another friend of mine who has now gone on--Wayne Pounders. Yet those two were the rare "conservative" pentecostal preachers whose christianity, decency and "realness" outshone their "conservatism."

I think G. R. Travis was highly underrated as a preacher and a teacher. No, I didn't and do not espouse some of the positions he held. Yet while GRT was certainly no liberal, the last few years I believe he realized that certain changes coming to his organization were inevitable and he realized those changes did not mean "sin in the camp."

Sincerity shines through and means a lot to me. Maybe it's bragging, but I can spot a phony a mile off. I can honestly say the compliment I received in my time in the pentecostal ministry that I cherish the most was after stepping down from the pulpit in Vicksburg during a weekend evangelism trip and having G. R. Travis say in my ear over the noise of the altar service: "Tim, that was some good preaching, son."

While I cannot in good conscience these days espouse a lot of what GRT espoused, I can look back all those years ago and say with sincerity that I am a better man and a better human being for having known him.

His deep baritone voice with that slow Mississippi drawl, his distinguished and somewhat formal, yet personable, manner and his warm, somewhat restrained but very sincere smile-- the world is a little worse off now that Brother Travis has taken these with him to his well-deserved eternal rest.

My condolences to the family. I am sincerely sorry to hear of Brother Travis's passing.

[deltaguitar]

Originally Posted by timlan2057

Coming to JCM in 1975 when it was down Highway 18 on the Mississippi Campground, the first thing I did was scope out the local scene as far as the Mississippi District.

Lee J Edwards was District Superintendent at the time and he was a likeable man.

I suppose I was most impressed though, with a thoroughly unpretentious Southern gentleman who was District Secretary then--Glen Ray Travis.

Looking back, he represented what was good about the old south that I love so much. He was a southern gentleman--a Christian gentleman. He was thoroughly polished and not at all rough-hewn like another friend of mine who has now gone on--Wayne Pounders. Yet those two were the rare "conservative" pentecostal preachers whose christianity, decency and "realness" outshone their "conservatism."

I think G. R. Travis was highly underrated as a preacher and a teacher. No, I didn't and do not espouse some of the positions he held. Yet while GRT was certainly no liberal, the last few years I believe he realized that certain changes coming to his organization were inevitable and he realized those changes did not mean "sin in the camp."

Sincerity shines through and means a lot to me. Maybe it's bragging, but I can spot a phony a mile off. I can honestly say the compliment I received in my time in the pentecostal ministry that I cherish the most was after stepping down from the pulpit in Vicksburg during a weekend evangelism trip and having G. R. Travis say in my ear over the noise of the altar service: "Tim, that was some good preaching, son."

While I cannot in good conscience these days espouse a lot of what GRT espoused, I can look back all those years ago and say with sincerity that I am a better man and a better human being for having known him.

His deep baritone voice with that slow Mississippi drawl, his distinguished and somewhat formal, yet personable, manner and his warm, somewhat restrained but very sincere smile-- the world is a little worse off now that Brother Travis has taken these with him to his well-deserved eternal rest.

My condolences to the family. I am sincerely sorry to hear of Brother Travis's passing.

Good post. I remember him a lot like this.

[CC1]

My condolences go out to Bonita and the family. I did not know Pastor Travis but went to JCM with Bonita and she certainly was a testament to good upbringing.

[Sister Alvear]

We were in Miss. the other day sure heard a lot of nice things about him...I am sorry for the loss...and I know with each passing warrior heaven becomes sweeter.

[MawMaw]

Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m., prior to his homegoing service on Friday, September 11, 2009, at 7:00 p.m., at the Mississippi District United Pentecostal Church Campgrounds located at 10332 Highway 18 West, Raymond, MS. Interment will be at First United Pentecostal Church, 1117 Highway 98 East, McComb, MS, at 3:00 p.m.

So sorry to hear of his death. A wonderful Man of God he was. What day at 3 pm, is the actual funeral taking place? I wonder who pastors the church there in McComb?

[PastorN]

Brother Travis was an awesome man of God and will be missed!

[pelathais]

He made it out this way to preach quite a few times. I never got to know him well enough to have ever disagreed with him on any point - certainly my loss. But I did enjoy his preaching ministry. And he was kind. I remember that the most, his kindness.

[StillStanding]

I been away from the computer the last few days, so I'm just now hearing this news.

I can't match Tim Landry's excellent post, but I do have a few great memories of this great man.

As a freshman at JCM, I took a liking to a certain 16-17 year old girl that went to that church. We were allowed to attend any UPC church in the area, so I talk three other guys into driving to Vicksburg every week that first year. One of the families in the church (Renee Clark's parents) would let us nap at their home between services. (Yes, we found a TV hidden in one of the closets! ha!)

Anyway, during this time I got to know Bro. and Sis. Travis pretty well. Bro. Travis was such a gentleman in how he treated us young JCMers. He knew that we had to drive quite a ways to attend, and always seemed so appreciative of our efforts.

About ten years ago, I ran into G.R. Travis at the GC when it was here in Nashville. He remembered me, and asked me where I was pastoring these days! ha! I told him that I was a good tithe-paying layman, but I didn't have the heart to tell him I didn't attend a UPCI church.

Bro. Travis made a wonderful impression on a young kid in 1975. My condolences to the Travis family.