Travis Lavon Phillips

Lone Grove - Celebration of Life services for Mr. Travis Lavon Phillips, 87, of Ardmore are scheduled for 2:00 PM Thursday, April 29, 2021 at the Lone Grove Assembly of God Church with Rev. Ron Elmore officiating with Don Buck and family assisting. Interment will follow at the Crinerville Cemetery with military honors performed by the Chickasaw Honor Guard Team. Services are under the care and direction of Alexander Gray Funeral Home of Wilson.

Travis was born on Nov. 11, 1933 at Loco to the late Mr. Melvin John Phillips and Mrs. Nathalee Irene (Downs) Phillips. He departed to the big ballroom in heaven on Saturday April 24, 2021 at his home in Ardmore.

Travis was raised at Loco where he enjoyed attending Loco schools excelling in basketball. He began a career in the oil patch working as a roughneck on a drilling rig. Travis was drafted into the United States Army in 1954 and was soon stationed at Ft. Bliss of El Paso, TX. Later he became stationed at Camp Desert Rock in Nevada where he participated in numerous Nuclear detonations. Upon his honorable discharge in 1956, Travis returned to Loco and met the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Parker. They were soon united in marriage on October 6, 1956 at Gainesville, TX.

Together, Travis and Mary made their home following oilfield work, residing within Southern Oklahoma. In 1971, Travis began working at Uniroyal Tire Plant and shortly thereafter they made their home at Ardmore. There he met his good friend Jim Rudd. Mary and Marylyn also became good friends. Travis worked at Uniroyal for a little over four years, becoming the trucking manager of Vacco of Lone Grove in 1982. In 1997, Travis retired from Vacco Inc. and soon opened the "Happy Trails Ballroom" at their home in Ardmore. They converted the horse barn into a dance hall with Mary's decorating and Travis's music collection. Little did they know of how many lives they would touch and the many friends this adventure would bring.

They had every kind of holiday party from Halloween parties to Mardi Gras, which was Travis's favorite. He would do alot of cooking, making gumbo and Happy Trail Beans and Cowboy Taters. Travis also enjoyed Cajun music always saying "Cajun music just gets in your blood". Travis and Mary always enjoyed their many travels and acquaintances they made. Travis always loved to entertain. He just loved gathering with people and having a good time. Travis was always a man of faith and believed in Matthew 7 VS 12.

Preceding him are his parents; and recently a sister, Lavern Lawrence and numerous friends he had made along the way.

Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Mary of the home; children, Tony Alan Phillips and wife Pam of Sherman, TX, Becky Ann Fincher and husband Mike and Kathy Phillips, both of Ardmore; brother in law, H.D. Lawrence of Loco; grandchildren, Stephanie Mutz and husband Matt, Chris Phillips and wife Amanda, Scott Phillips and wife Rachael, Britton Phillips and wife Kendell, Nathan Fincher and wife Renea, Abbie Tedder, and Dillan Stinson; great grandchildren, Dylan Matthew Mutz, Seth Mutz, Adam Mutz, Faith Mutz, Ariel Mutz, Dillon Blake Rodgers, Maddison MacDonald, Caden Phillips, Christian Phillips, Lauren Phillips, Luke Phillips, Andrew Phillips, Kaleb Phillips, Bailey Fincher, Stran Fincher, Kabella Fincher and Zayna Grace Stinson; great great grandchild, Jake Rodgers; child dog, Missy Elizabeth Phillips; and numerous other family and friends.

Pallbearers are Chris Phillips, Scott Phillips, Britton Phillips, Nathan Fincher, Dillan Stinson and Matt Mutz.

Honorary bearers Lavon Smith, Max Morgan, Harold Dale Lawrence, Charlie Watson, Don Buck and Lee Brinkmeier.

Family visitation will be from 6 to 8 pm Wednesday evening at Alexander Gray Funeral Home of Wilson.

Condolences may be made at www.alexanderfuneralhome.org