Travis Herman Boles, 86, a long-time resident of Signal Mountain, died peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2020, of Alzheimer’s disease at Alexian Village Healthcare Center.
Originally from Texas, he graduated with a BA degree from Columbia College in New York City, and a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He married Patricia (Pat) Martin in 1958, and they were blessed with three children, Martin Travis Boles, Leslie Patricia Walker (Richard), and Stephanie Alice Boles (Jesse Dienstag), and six grandchildren, Brittany and Emily Boles, Travis and Zachary Walker, and Samuel and Joseph Dienstag.
Travis was a life-long arts enthusiast and performed in countless plays in the Chattanooga area. He and Pat often acted together, occasionally accompanied by other members of the family. When asked why he never pursued acting professionally, Travis replied, “As an amateur you get to play the best roles!”He also toured Germany in soldier shows for most of his two-year stint in the Army. A charming, fun-loving man, Travis was devoted to his family, to their comfort and happiness. He enjoyed traveling with Pat to many countries and also with the family to the Florida Panhandle each summer for a beach vacation. He loved building “drip sandcastles,” which he called therapeutic, walking on the beach, and relaxing under a beach umbrella. These vacations were an important part of their life, and Travis and Pat made the decision to have their ashes scattered in the Gulf. Travis worked in personnel as a problem solver, trainer, and manager. He retired from the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga as Director of Human Resources. The family would like to thank caregivers Tina, Riely, Dava, and Autumn for their tireless devotion during the past year, as well as the AVT Healthcare staff.
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, July 2, at 3 p.m., at Signal Crest United Methodist Church, observing social distancing with masks required.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to United Way of Greater Chattanooga, unitedwaycha.org/give-2, 423 752-0300, Signal Mountain Playhouse, smph.org, 423 763-7219, or Chattanooga Theatre Centre, theatrecentre.com/donate, 423 267-8538.