Franklin Lee Travis

Franklin Lee “Chief” Travis, age 83, of Conover, NC, passed away on Friday, December 26, 2014, at Catawba Regional Hospice in Newton, NC. Born February 7, 1931, in Catawba County, he was the son of the late Harvey Lee Travis and Zelda Mae Travis Travis.

Franklin was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Conover, NC, and was also a US Navy veteran having served on the USS Worcester during the Korean War. He was Chief of Police for the City of Conover from 1962 – 1987 and later served on the Conover City Council from 1991 - 2007. Franklin was a member of the Conover Masonic Lodge # 709 and was a former member of the Conover Lions Club.

In addition to his parents, Franklin was preceded in death by his first wife Jo King Travis, second wife Linda Stirewalt Travis, infant son Franklin Lee Travis, Jr., and a step-grandson Allen Dale McCray, Jr.

Survivors include his daughter Dianne Travis Starnes of Conover, NC; son Billy Franklin Travis and wife Anne of Murfreesboro, TN; step-daughters Patsy Jones McCray of Hickory, NC, Gini Perkins and husband Phil of Charlotte, NC, and Dawn Dale and husband Eddie of Hickory, NC; step-sons Dale “Opie” Williams and wife Lesa of Hickory,NC, Roger Hudson and wife Donna of Belmont, NC, Dale Hudson and wife Doris of Connelly Springs, NC, and Dean Hudson and wife Colette of Hildebran, NC; brother Harvey Dean Travis of Hickory, NC; sister Gloria Travis Byrd of High Point, NC; step-grandchildren Mandy White, Veronica Ramsey, Crystall Chapman, Eric McCray, Bryan Williams, and Dustin Hudson; step-great-grandchildren Ashlynn, Nathan, Caitlyn, Jordan, and Austin; special friends David and Kathy Bolick; and his loving dog “Miss Priss”.

A service of remembrance will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, December 29, 2014 at Concordia Lutheran Church. Rev. A. Mark Schudde will officiate followed by a graveside service with military rites by American Legion Post # 16. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 12:30 – 1:45 on Monday.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Steve Brewer, Eric Loftin, Larry Waters, Bill Ammons, Stine Isenhower, and Lee Moritz, Jr. Current and former members of both the Conover Police Department and Conover City Council will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Concordia Lutheran Church, 216 5th Ave. SE, Conover, NC, 28613 or to Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC, 28658.