Travis Searcy

Travis Searcy 1938-2024

Travis Searcy, 85, passed away on September 27, 2024, in Thousand Oaks, California. He was born in Alamogordo, New Mexico on November 5, 1938, to John Henry Searcy and Mary Esther (McDonald) Searcy. He attended Alamogordo High School before studying Industrial Arts at Western New Mexico University in Silver City, New Mexico. To earn his way through school, Travis spent many memorable summers in the Forest Service at Los Alamos, New Mexico. After earning a master’s degree in education from WNMU he began a decades-long teaching career as a high school auto and wood shop teacher, but most notably as a welding instructor at Antelope Valley College. He attained an additional EdS degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. A skilled artisan of his metalworking craft, Travis passed his passion and skill on to his students and helped many of them begin careers in the industrial arts and aerospace industry, especially in the Antelope Valley.

Travis married JoAnn in Deming, New Mexico and after a few years, the couple moved to Lancaster, California for teaching assignments. They spent many years in the Antelope Valley raising a family and establishing careers, and later moved to Ventura County as a starting place for their retirement years. The RV life was a big part of their early retirement years, and they enjoyed traveling across the US and even Canada making friends along the way. Their dream home, however, was to be found back in New Mexico in the lovely village of Tijeras.

Everyone who knew Travis knew how much he loved trains. From the time he was a young boy, he would spend time at the depot in his hometown to watch the trains coming and going. He did considerable research on southwestern railroad history and became the proud owner of a collection of railroad artifacts amassed over time.

Travis will always be remembered for his quiet, introverted ways that brought strength to his family, his work and the numerous churches where he volunteered in various capacities over the years. He put his faith in Jesus from a young age and his character was heavily influenced by living out the biblical principles he learned throughout his life. His family couldn’t have asked for a better dad, grandparent and father-in-law, and they will miss him every day. Travis’ memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, JoAnn; sister, Mona Carrico; father, John Henry Searcy and mother, Mary Esther Searcy.

Travis is survived by his two daughters, Jenni Helj of San Clemente, California and Renee Ballard of Camarillo, California; grandchildren Lindsay Mandel, Alisa Helj Huston, Nicholas Helj, and Jeremy Ballard; and sons-in-law, Michael Ballard and Adi Helj.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 10th at 11:30am at Aliso Creek Church in Aliso Viejo, California.

In lieu of flowers, any memorial offerings may be made to The New Mexico Baptist Children’s home in Portales, New Mexico in Travis’ honor. https://www.nmbch.com/