Adelbert D. (Del) Travis
July 12, 1926 - September 07, 2010
Adelbert D. (Del) Travis, age 84, passed away peacefully on Sept. 7, 2010, after a brief battle with lung cancer. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him.
Del was born in Melbourne Fl. on July 12, 1926. He lived in Melbourne until 1940; when his family moved to Michigan. His father was a Builder/Developer in Melbourne during the 20’s & 30’s.
From his early teens before and after the war, Del worked in dance bands. Del served in the 80th Division, 3rd Army, during World War II as an Infantryman. His regiment fought in Bastogne, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Bravaria and Austria. From 1946 to 1948 he attended the University of Michigan. From 1948 to 1954 he served in the foreign civil service in Guam and Japan and from 1955-1957 he served in the Southern NATO Command in Naples, Italy. During the late 50’s and 60’s he worked in New York City for Air Reduction Company as Manager of Marketing Services. He ran his own Tool and Equipment Rental Company in West port, Conn. from 1969 - 1971.
He returned to Melbourne in 1971 and began a custom Home Building company. Del served as Executive Director of the Home Builders Association from 1982 til 1999 when he retired.
Del loved sailing and his pride and joy was a 54’ ketch, Grand Alliance. He was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and held a 100-ton Coast Guard License for sail and motor vessels.
Del liked jazz, dogs, popcorn, cookies, ice cream, good jokes, family and honest people. He disliked rock & roll, some power boaters, cats, broccoli, liver and phony people.
Del leaves his wonderful wife of 42 years, Rose, 7 children (Markee, Jennifer, Chris, Gordy, Jeff, Liz, Elec), 7 grandchildren and younger brother, Jim Travis. (Don, a younger brother preceded Del in death.)
Funeral Information
A memorial service is planned for family and friends at 4:00 pm on Saturday, Sept. 18th at So. Brevard Funeral Home, 1001 S. Hickory St., Melbourne.
Donations Information
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Del’s memory to Hospice of Health First, 1900 Dairy Rd., Melbourne, FL 32904.