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Travis Whitaker Obituary
WHITAKER, TRAVIS M.
Born December 9, 1985, died August 31, 2003, with friend Kevin Keane in a tragic automobile accident on Interstate 5 in Shasta County. Travis is survived by mother, Glee Johnson; father, Greg Geeting; and sister, Meredith Whitaker, all of Sacramento; grandfather and grandmother, Stanley and Joy Johnson of Knoxville, Tennessee; and by many uncles, aunts, and cousins living in California, New York, Cambodia, England, and Switzerland. An avid school, recreational, and competitive soccer player, Travis had been named co-captain of this year's varsity soccer team at C.K. McClatchy High School where he would have been a senior in the school's Humanities and International Studies Program. He was also a member, along with Kevin, of McClatchy's track and field team in spring 2003. Travis had been co-captain of the Kit Carson Middle School soccer tram, where he was honored as scholar-athlete in the June 2000 eighth grade graduation ceremony. The love of the outdoors bonded Travis and Kevin. They died while returning from an end-of-summer hiking and camping trip at Mt. Shasta. A joint Memorial Service for Travis and Kevin will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2003, in the amphitheater at William Land Park, beginning at 10:00am. Additional parking for this event will be available at C.K. McClatchy High School south parking lot. For those wishing a private farewell, viewing will be available at Harry A. Nauman & Son Land Park Chapel from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday and Friday, September 4-5, 2003. In lieu of flowers, the families of Travis and Kevin have requested that donations be made to the Kevin Keane and Travis Whitaker Memorial Fund, Golden 1 C.U., Attn. ATM Dept, PO Box 15249, Sacramento, CA 95851-9905.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Travis Whitaker
Malissa Lea Bullock
July 8, 2023
I was just in Mt Shasta praying and meditating on the bench you dedicated to Travis and Kevin. I took a picture and looked up the story of these two names. I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for creating a bench in their memory looking at majestic Mt Shasta.
Doug Dimmadome
April 10, 2018
he was a great dude, hell of an athlete he'll be missed
MAYRA
September 30, 2003
Travis was a great guy and he will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.Travis may you rest in peace and we will see you again one day in that bigger,better place.
Katelyn Leaird
September 13, 2003
Travis- You were one of the most beatiful people i have ever come into contact with, it always amazed me. You always knew what to say. Everytime i look at the sky and see the stars i think of you, i hope you can see them too. Peace.
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Thomas Cheng
September 8, 2003
In memory of Kevin and Travis, the ckmrunning.com website has memorial tributes and pictures in loving memory of our former team mates. Tributes from the Sacramento Bee will be transferred every day at midnight to the ckmrunning website.
We will always miss them and carry their memory in our hearts forever.
Timmera Hudson
September 8, 2003
Middle school days were the greatest, and you were part of them. Me, you, nat, jess, nicole, ash, aaron, always together. I cried, i miss you a lot as will the world, but your in such a better place now. Never forget the past, and ill see you in the future. Love, Merra
Joyce Sanderson
September 7, 2003
I am sorry for your loss of Travis. I can never think of the right thing to say in times like this, but please know that you have my heartfelt compassion for your suffering. I don't know if you remember me, but I have been involved with the Belgium Exchange Program. I would have attended the service, but I didn't find out about it until Saturday afternoon. Ironically, I had been in Ashland, Orgeon and read about the accident in a paper I picked up en route in Weed, but there was no mention of Travis that I recall. The article focused in the local casualties. Again my heart goes out to you. I know from personal experience that you never get over the loss, but eventually, you do find a way to move on. -- Joyce
Madolin Wells
September 7, 2003
Right from the start Travis had a joie de vivre unlike any baby I’ve ever known. His irrepressible smile told you he’d just discovered something wonderful, and he was very eager to let you in on it.
Travis’s energy was huge. It was enormous. The force that flew into his exuberant two-year-old karate kicks – 30 or 40 minutes straight! - would later power his indomitable athletic drive. And though at three he sometimes acted annoyed at Meredith’s entrance on the scene, sibling rivalry wasn’t something he dwelled on for long. Travis was a man on the move.
Something remarkable and sobering occurred in Travis around the age of 7 or 8. He was suddenly so grown up, so sincere, in his way of expressing affection. He began to communicate love unabashedly, in heartfelt touch and simple words, with stunning maturity in a child so young. It was a very conscious gift of compassion and connection. I was so touched by his gestures, again and again, every time I visited Glee and her family.
For many years Travis wanted to be cool. But he was so eager to please that he just couldn’t come across quite as cool as he would have liked. Yet he always had that “guy” thing – and he could relate as one of the guys to men of any age – including my son, who was seven years older. Whenever we came up to Sacramento to visit, Jarrett had to get what he called “some quality time with my little buddy” before being corralled by the adults into other activities.
Something interesting happened when Travis moved into adolescence. All of a sudden, he became cool. He was definitely very cool. He had that slim slow slider way of moving, of even just slouching around that was so smooth, so laid back. And that knowing little smile. He never did lose his eager manner of trying hard to be in on whatever the joke was. There it was, right alongside his way coolness. It was so endearing that he never lost that eager quality. I remember spending evenings in the hot tub with Glee and our other sisters talking girl talk late into the night. Travis was neither intimidated nor embarrassed to get in there with us and join right in. He was lurking in the background one night when I told a risqué story about a cockroach. I never heard the end of requests to repeat that tale of the cockroach. Giddily atwitter, blushing and giggling, Travis just couldn’t get enough of it.
Travis had a sunny disposition the entire time I knew him. And he knew tragedy in his short life. Glee said that shortly after Meredith’s collapse on the soccer field, as she lay comatose in her hospital bed, Travis sat tearfully at her side apologizing for every mean thing he’d ever done. It seemed at first as if she might come back and be her old self if only she was willing to forgive him his misdeeds. But she didn’t come back, not in the same way, and Travis, like his parents, had to come to terms with something most of us will never face.
Perhaps it was in learning acceptance of the harsh and unpredictable vagaries of life that Travis came to such a profound appreciation for beauty, wonder, and the gift that each moment brings. I am so grateful to hear the stories from Travis’s contemporaries of how joyfully he embraced the experiences of nature, how full his life was to the very end, how he inspired his friends and classmates and teammates, what an amazing friendship he had with Kevin, and how they had achieved that last goal - they’d “been to the top of that mountain, and seen the other side.” This was a life that was complete.
Dear, sweet Travis, I can't believe you're gone. I love you. I miss you beyond words. I missed you before you died, and now I miss you more. Thank you for being in my life, thank you for being you. I will cherish your memory and hold you in my heart. I wish you safe journey home – I know you are part of that Great Spirit.
Glee’s sister, Travis’s aunt
Rebecca Chau
September 6, 2003
Travis~
There are no words to explain what I feel. I didn't really know you that well but I knew that you had a beautiful soul. All the girls seemed to like you in one way or another. I always enjoyed those times you made us all laugh in class like when you wore that dress during sophomore year. I know that soccer was one of your passions because when I talked to you about soccer for the yearbook and your eyes just lit up. There will be no one else like you. You will be greatly missed and will remain in my heart forever.
Kristina Geeting
September 6, 2003
I love you, Travis a lot!!!!
This is your cousin Kristina Nicole Wright Geeting!!!!!!
Art Morales
September 6, 2003
travis- u will always shine man .. even after life
Colleen, Brian,Char Mallet
September 6, 2003
To the Johnson-Whitaker Family:
Our hearts go out to all of you. We wanted you to know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Natalia Schoorl
September 5, 2003
when I look at the stars they shine of your eyes, the sky it burns bright with your presence tonight, yet you're so above me and I cannot fly to the angel above me I long to be with.
Travis, I love you so much. I miss you so much. I love hearing all the stories about you because I can imagine you before I knew you, wishing that I had known you for longer. I think I understand now what you were trying to tell me, and I know that you love me, I just wish we could still be together, I always want to be with you, I always did.
Janet Bollinger
September 5, 2003
To the family and friends of Kevin and Travis,
I knew Kevin and Travis only in passing at McClatchy but have been so impressed with the care and concern shown by all of you for each other in this terrible time of sadness. I hope that this closeness and loving support for one another remains a lifelong legacy and gift from Kevin and Travis that will warm your hearts and comfort you in times of need. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Antonio De Anda
September 5, 2003
I knew Travis in JRHS he always had great dreams and hopes I'm sorry his life was cut so short no matter where you are no matter how long it is from now no matter what Travis i will never forget you I miss you bro
aaron perez
September 5, 2003
travis,
Man i was part of the table that you hung out at your 8th grade year. i wont foget those good laughs you gave us, always making people laugh.
Its unfortunate you had to go out this way, you were just starting life. Dont think what you have done has not been noticed, you have made an impact wheter you know it or not. I wont ever forget those times, i consider my 7th grade year the greatest year yet. I am proud to say that you were part of them.
Now you have taken your seat next to god as he intended, and i know you are at a better place,
peace,
aaron perez
kate whisenhunt
September 5, 2003
my condolences go out to the family and friends. i can't even begin to fathom going through such a loss...i hope you have the strength to go on and i'm sure travis is there, helping you every step of the way. he was taken before his time
Lauren Silverman
September 5, 2003
Travis...I have no words to describe the misery everyone is going through without you and kevin. You were such a great person. my only regret is that we didnt get closer these past few years. Thank you for putting up with me when I hung around andrew. You had such a way about you that inspired everyone..even the people who didnt get the chance to see into your soul and know you as well as they would have liked. I am so happy that you and Kevin made it to the top. You are an inspiration and a person I would have loved to become best friends with. Thank you for sharing a part of you with me because if it wasnt for you and kevin i would be so much less of a person. everyone loves you and misses you. Love you and hope the view was wonderful we miss you. you touched everyones lives
Debbie Fong
September 5, 2003
My deepest sympathy goes out to the Whitaker family during the loss of our friend Travis. He will always be in our heart.
With deepest sympathy,
Debbie & Jason Fong
Adolfo R. Gallo
September 5, 2003
Please accept my sincerest condolences and know that I pray for the easing of your pain.
Adam Walker
September 4, 2003
Travis,
It is wrong that a thing like this could happen to someone with so much life left to live. I'll always regret not keeping in touch with you after we moved to Spokane, but I want you to know that my family and I love you and that you are in our thoughts and prayers. You were my best friend and I will miss you.
Rosalyn Morris
September 4, 2003
Over and over I thought and thought, what could I say? There are no words for something like this. Travis was one of the students I tutored and taught at Kit Carson and Summerbridge. He was SOO good at any sport handed to him, and school....he was a wiz. I could all ways brag about him. I knew he would be successful. No worries at all. For me, it helps to remember the fun times. I can smile when I think of Travis. My prayers go out to all family and friends.
The Tang Family (Byron Tang)
September 4, 2003
Life is not fair--you and Kevin were taken away so suddenly--but in our heart we will always know--you will never be alone--for both you and Kevin will be together forever.
stuart harrington
September 4, 2003
i knew travis in middle school we all hung out with the same people at lunch. I saw him last, a couple monthes ago, in fact he is the one who came up to me and said hi! When i found out he past away i lost it i cried the whole day... dude iam sorry and we all miss you and love you, you were to good of a person for this to happened.i love you dude your friend stuart
lisa brown
September 4, 2003
words cannot describe what a wonderful person travis was to me. we were never really close, but its wasn't hard to see the beautiful soul he had. i only wish others could have had the chance to see it. all i can hope is that we can take all tavis had to show us and in turn, pass it on to others.
Christina Martinez
September 4, 2003
Travis, thanks for always being such a sweetie. I'll miss you.
Valerie Paladini
September 4, 2003
Dear Travis,
I remember when I first saw you freshman year at ckm.You seemed so layed back and had this vibe about you that people were drawn to. What I remember the most is your smile because you were always smiling and laughing which was great. I'll always remember you and how you lived life to the fullest. My love goes out to you and your family, may God bless them in these hard times. I love you Travis and will never forget you!!!!
Pat Watters
September 4, 2003
To Travis, his family and friends: I know in my heart, and will choose to always believe, that you and Kevin have found a Paradise where the best hiking trails and soccer pitches exist for your pleasure. We suffer the pain of your loss to us and especially to your families. We will get through this time, and draw strength from the memories of both of you. For now, we grieve. But in time we will rededicate our lives, this school year, these seasons to honor you. To do our best, to have fun, to love and care for each other, because that's who you were. Yes, you both blessed so many of us by just being yourselves. Thank you.
Maggie Lyons
September 4, 2003
Please know that so many were enriched by Travis. He will always be a part of Curtis Park and CKM and my grandsons' lives.
Pegi Anderson
September 4, 2003
As parents, we never think to see the time when our children leave before us. I cannot begin to understand the way the world works. I will say that Travis left an impression on my life, as a parent. It is a loss that will be felt by more then friends and family, it is a loss to the world as a whole, when someone so young and gifted, is taken from us.
Leah Zeff
September 4, 2003
Travis, you were an amazing person. I feel so lucky to have known you and will miss you so much. I love you.
Linda Lee
September 4, 2003
I remember Travis from the Dot Tot days. In fact Travis is the only kid whose name I remember, mainly because I am the mother of the other Travis in his class. I remember seeing Travis and his dad arriving to Dot Tot by bicycle every day. He was such a happy, cute little tyke. I also remember that Travis was so smart that he was placed in Kindergarten a year early. After Dot Tot I lost track of Travis' family, but I knew that Travis would succeed in school. After reading about this tragedy, I got out my Dot Tot class pictures and reminisced while viewing the class picture of both Travises.
Sinéad Borchert
September 3, 2003
You were beautiful inside and out. I'm sorry that in the times I had HISP core with you I couldn't get to know you better. You had such a unique sense of style, and you were such a special person. I love you, and I'll always miss you.
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