Travis Hughes Obituary

ERWIN - Dr. Travis Hubert Hughes, Sr., age 86, of Erwin, passed away on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at his home. Travis was born in Rapid City, SD, and is a son of the late Frank Lyon and Jane (Brown) Hughes. After graduation from Unicoi County High School, he departed Erwin to attend Vanderbilt University on a football scholarship. He obtained his BS and MS degrees there and moved to Boulder, Colorado and to the University of Colorado where he earned his PhD in Geochemistry in 1967. He was then employed in Tuscaloosa, AL as a college professor at The University of Alabama, ultimately becoming the head of the Geology and Geography Departments. In addition, he became the National President of the American Institute of Professional Geologist, the most prominent of Professional Geological Associations. After retirement from The University of Alabama he began a second career as a Geological Consultant traveling the entire seven continents of the world, from the polar ice of the arctic to the blazing deserts of the middle east. Travis held a steadfast and devout, but quiet, conviction of his spiritual salvation and generally preferred such with a Baptist flavor. He loved family, teaching, reading, thinking, scientific analysis, skiing, and rocky spaces (the more vertical, the better). In addition to his parents, Travis is preceded in death by his one brother, Frank W. Hughes.

Dr. Travis Hubert Hughes, Sr. has left behind to cherish his memory: wife of 66 years, Suzy (Hatcher) Hughes; children: Travis Hubert Hughes, Jr. (Elizabeth, "Libba"), and Tracy Hughes Campbell (Dave); grandchildren: Ashley Hughes Owen (David), Travis Hubert Hughes, III, and Trevor Lyon Hughes; and great-granddaughter, Leilani Elizabeth ("Ella") Owen.

The family respectfully requests the honor of your presence as we offer tribute and remember the life of Dr. Travis Hubert Hughes, Sr. in a funeral service to be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 in the chapel at Valley Funeral Home. His son, Travis Hubert Hughes, Jr. will officiate. Musical selections will be provided by Larry Pate. A visitation period to share memories and offer support to the family will begin at 11:00 am on Wednesday and will continue until service time at Valley Funeral Home. A graveside committal service will be held in Evergreen Cemetery following the funeral. Those who wish to attend the committal service should meet at Valley Funeral Home at 1:00 pm on Wednesday to go in procession to the cemetery. Serving as active pallbearers will be: Travis Hubert Hughes, Jr., Travis Hubert Hughes, III, Trevor Lyon Hughes, David Owen, George Knox, Bob Kasonik, Nick Baldwin, and Dave Campbell. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Campbell, David Hatcher, and David Burgner.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Travis's name to Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607; or to Unicoi County Emergency Medical Services.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.valleyfuneralhome.net or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ValleyFuneralHomeErwin. These arrangements are made especially for the family of Dr. Travis Hubert Hughes, Sr. through Valley Funeral Home, 1085 N. Main Ave., Erwin, 423-743-9187.