Travis Leonard Beavers

He is lovingly remembered by his three grandchildren, Adrianne Burkart, Alexis Ostarello, and Travis H. Beavers, as well as several great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Lela; his siblings, Lee, Ruby, Carlos, Dolores, and Ira Jr.; his wife, Lela; and his children, Jan and Charlie.

From an early age, Travis embodied courage and service. In 1946, he risked his life to save a woman from drowning and was later awarded the Boy Scouts Honor Medal for heroism. At 17, Travis left his hometown of Pollock, Louisiana, to join the United States Air Force. He went on to serve honorably for 20 years, including as Chief Inspector for Air Force One during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. After retiring from the military, he continued to serve his community through his work with the Merced Irrigation District.

While stationed at Castle Air Force Base in 1950, Travis met Lela O’Hagan through mutual friends. They married in Merced in 1951, raised two children, and built a life together that lasted more than seven decades. Travis and Lela enjoyed traveling across the country, often returning to Louisiana to visit friends and family. A devoted husband and generous family man, he found joy in local agriculture, fishing, playing the fiddle, the fellowship of his church, and sharing his humor through storytelling and jokes.

A graveside service for Travis will be held Monday, October 20, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. at Plainsburg Cemetery, 8943 Gillette Avenue in Le Grand, California.