Travis Raymond Bates, loyal Starbucks customer and one hell of a funny comedian, passed away on May 14th, 2016 at the age of 40.
Travis was born and raised in Jacksonville and graduated from Englewood High School in 1994. He obtained an Associate in Arts from FCCJ in 1996 then served four honorable years, reaching the rank of Cpl., in the United States Marine Corps during which he completed the 23rd Marine Corps marathon. Travis went on to work as a private investigator throughout Florida and worked security in multiple nightclubs in the Jacksonville area.
In 2009 Travis was diagnosed with the life changing illness we all know as cancer starting as a tumor in his right leg, which was ultimately amputated.
Instead of allowing this illness to knock him down, Travis went on to obtain his Bachelor and Master of Arts in History from UNF, worked as a substitute teacher at local high schools, volunteered at the Museum of Science and History, and received The Paul Harris Fellow Award from our local Rotary International Club. If this wasnt enough to make you feel guilty about sitting your healthy asses on the couch wasting your life away, Travis was also a part of the Brooks Rehabilitation Adaptive Rowing Program at JU, traveling to Philadelphia to take part in a rowing competition where he placed 3rd in his race.
In 2011 Travis began his stand-up comedy career at The Comedy Zone where he participated in workshops to hone his craft. He went on to perform in several comedy clubs throughout Florida and even traveled to Oregon, where he opened for a nationally known HBO comedian. For a last hurrah Travis was able to perform his comedy act while vacationing with his girlfriend in London at a local pub a few weeks before his passing.
Travis is survived by his mother Freda Parker (Gene Parker), father Bruce Bates, brothers Tracy Bates and Sean Parker (Sara Parker), sisters Carmen Hoke (Randy Hoke), and Cherie Brush (Kent Brush), girlfriend Amanda Forrest, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Travis was a true warrior in his fight against his illness and never let it slow him down. Travis is an inspiration to many and will never be forgotten.
Celebration of Travis life will be held at Comedy Zone, 3130 Hartley Rd. Saturday May 21st at 1:00 PM. Memorial donations can be made to The Travis R. Bates Account. C/O City and Police Federal Credit Union. 4675 Sunbeam Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32257
Semper FI. OO-RAH
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