On February 21, 2018, our community lost a very loved and unique soul. Travis Dean Whitt passed away from complications due to a lifetime battle with diabetes.

He was born on October 13th, 1968 to Richard Dean and Linda Joyce Whitt. His father passed away when Travis was 5 years old. He lived his entire life in North Topeka and in the neighborhood that he spent his childhood.

He graduated from Seaman High School in 1987,and began working for Joe Little Construction a few years after, up until his passing.

On May 30, 1992 he married Jennifer Wells. Together they raised two wonderful children, Samantha Cynn and Mathew Dean. As a family, they loved camping and going to the lake.

Fun times and friendships were formed with many people over the years because of their love of these activities. Travis had an amazing and unique way to tell a joke, funny story, or an embellished tale that would leave people crying and laughing. Up until the end of his days with us, he kept calling, texting or e-mailing his friends and family with a joke or two. He would often call a person up, tell a joke then say a goodbye after a brief chuckle. He loved to laugh and make people laugh.

Growing up, Travis was loved by many, but His Aunt and Uncle, Joe and Betty Little, were special to him as much as he was to them. Joe and Travis shared a special bond and Joe treated him as a son moreover than just a nephew. We are sure that Joe was the first to greet him in the hereafter. Travis was not one to stand still. Throughout his life he was involved in many organizations. He is a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxilary and recently was Flotilla Commander. He was in the Kaw Valley Amateur Club ham radio group. He was a member of Golden Rule Lodge # 90 AF & AM, Topeka Scottish Rite Bodies, and Arab Shrine. And also was a hunter safety instructor, a boater safety educator, and was the den leader throughout his son’s time in the Cub Scouts.

Although he was loved by many, he leaves behind his wife Jennifer, children Sammie and Mat, his mother Linda, a brother Kirby, a nephew Logan, his aunt Betty, several cousins he grew up with that were especially as close as brothers and a sister, Dave Little, Rick Little, Ron Little, Alan Taylor, and Bob and Denise Meyer, and step-father Greg Crockett.

As much as Travis loved to joke, laugh, and tell stories we hope you remember well of him and it brings you a smile thinking of that time.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Monday, February 26, 2018, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Avenue, Topeka. Private committal services will be in Rochester Cemetery, 1200 NW Menninger Road, Topeka.

Travis will lie in state after 3:00 PM, Sunday, at the funeral chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 215 West Pershing Road, Suite 300, Kansas City, MO 64108

To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.