David Joseph Travis, Sr., a retired Major in the U.S. Army and former

Science High School teacher, passed away on October 8, 2022 in Lyons,

New Jersey.

Born on January 4, 1935 in Newark, David was the eldest of the eight

children of Samuel and Louise Travis.  David enjoyed a wonderful

childhood in his close-knit, loving family.

David graduated from Southside (now Shabazz) High School in Newark and

began his college career at Jersey City State.  In 1958 he earned his

B.A. at the University of Dubuque in Iowa. He was a Dean's List

student and a superb athlete, excelling in track, basketball, and

football. He also had the opportunity to do ecumenical work in Brazil

the summer between his sophomore and junior years.

After graduation he taught in Harlem, New York for two years and in

1960 was drafted into the Army.  He soon found himself fighting in the

trenches of the Vietnam War where he completed two tours of duty.  His

third tour was state side. David was frequently commended by his

superiors for his courage and exemplary leadership skills, and rose to

the rank of Major.  He was injured in the line of duty during the War

and returned home to his proud family with the Purple Heart.  In

addition David was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor Device for

heroism in ground combat.  His brave and heroic service in Vietnam was

documented in many newspapers, such as The Star Ledger and The New

York Times.

After serving his country for twenty years David retired from the

Army.  Mr. Travis was a beloved and innovative teacher of physics,

chemistry and earth sciences at the prestigious Science High School in

Newark for fifteen years, retiring in 1997.

Throughout his life David had a great love of family and enjoyed all

family gatherings such as parties, cookouts, family reunions, and

numerous trips to cultural events, which he often organized himself.

His attachment to his family was unsurpassed.  Even in his later years

David kept in touch with all of his children and grandchildren,

brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and cousins and enjoyed each

and every phone call, email, Zoom meeting, and visit, virtual or

in-person.

David was an aficionado of all types of music, including jazz,

classical, Broadway and gospel, to name a few.  He would credit his

third grade teacher with teaching him and his classmates how to waltz

and he loved to tell about how he learned to sing "The Messiah" as a

fifteen year old high school student in Newark.  He had a great

signing voice and loved to harmonize with his son, David, Jr. and

daughter Nancy.

Blessed with a deep and abiding faith, David and his wife Louise were

longtime members of the Elmwood United Presbyterian Church community.

For many years David served the Church as an elder.

Left to treasure David's memory are his wife of thirty-five years,

Louise Melvin Travis, daughter Nancy and son-in-law  Nelson of Laurel,

Maryland, grandson Omar of Los Angeles,  California, son David Jr. and

daughter-in-law Alice of North Plainfield, New Jersey, daughter June

and son-in-law Lawrence of Burtonsville, Maryland, grandson Jordan of

Baltimore, Maryland, sisters Phyllis of Southington, Connecticut and

Ada of Dublin, Georgia, brother Jerry of Baltimore, Maryland and many

cousins, nieces and nephews, and numerous other family members

including his "family" at Elmwood United Presbyterian Church in East

Orange, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David's memory to the

Scholarship Fund at Elmwood United Presbyterian Church.