Travis L. Collins was born on Aug. 27, 1980, at Renton Valley General Hospital, in Renton, Washington, to Terry and Linda (Stevens) Collins. He died in Seattle, Washington, on Aug. 17, 2020, 10 days before his 40th birthday.
Travis was a calm and easy infant. As a toddler, he liked to run, swim, play ball and swing. He was an engaging and helpful child who learned to speak early and could carry on intelligent conversations with the adults in his life. Travis attended the Head Start program in Spirit Lake, Idaho, and kindergarten in Athol, Idaho, followed by school attendance in Tonasket and Republic, Washington. The family moved to Westport in 1987. Travis attended the Ocosta School District from first to 11th grades. Travis worked through his senior year, attending an alternative high school. He received his high school diploma through the Aberdeen School District.
As a child and adolescent, Travis loved to fish at the docks in Westport. During the summer months he could be seen riding his bike to the docks almost daily. Travis was a hard worker and began cleaning charter boats and working odd jobs for neighbors and friends by the age of 11. At 16, he began commercial fishing, with Greg Rutzer. He was overcome with excitement at the invitation to join the crew on a fishing trip to Alaska. Travis continued to fish until moving to Hawaii in 2003, where he worked in construction. Travis returned to Westport in 2004 and resumed commercial fishing.
In 2006, Travis and Kristen Van Embden gave birth to Charlee Maree. Becoming a father was the greatest joy of Travis’s life. The family lived in Westport until 2008.
At the age of 28, Travis had the opportunity to attend trade school, in Ellensburg, Washington, where he learned to run cranes. Travis worked diligently, reading his materials, with his daughter, Charlee, on his lap. When Travis completed his training, he joined the Operating Engineers Union 302/612 and was hired by Sicklesteel Crane Company, in Mt. Vernon, Washington. While working in Washington, he received the highest level of security clearance offered to union workers, allowing him to work in refineries.
Travis left Washington to work in the oil fields of North Dakota in 2011. While in North Dakota, Travis worked at several different construction companies running cranes and driving truck during the oil boom. While in North Dakota, Travis struggled with addiction, which eventually lead to his arrest and incarceration. While in prison Travis learned to bead and took great pride in his work, making several intricate pieces for family.
After Travis was released from prison, he worked diligently to get his life back on track. He returned to the same trade school where he received his crane re-certification. His good friend, Mark Valgardson, helped him to secure a job, in Seattle, working on various projects. While in Seattle, Travis made several friends and created a second family who cared deeply for him and supported him. Travis took great pride in his work, and his sobriety.
Travis is survived by his daughter, Charlee; mother, Linda Collins; father, Terry Collins; sisters, Laura (Josh) Roehrich and Caydee Collins; grandmother, Judith Stevens; three nephews, one niece and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Laura and Carrol Collins.
Travis will be laid to rest, in Athol, Idaho. Services will be held, at the South Beach Christian Center, in Grayland, Washington, on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, at 1 p.m. followed by a reception.
A graveside service will be held at Mt. View Cemetery, in Athol, Idaho, on Oct. 3, 2020, at 10 a.m. followed by a reception.
Arrangements are by Coleman Mortuary, 422 – 5th Street, Hoquiam, Washington.
Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the on-line register at: www.colemanmortuary.net.
