Benjamin Earl Travis, Jr.
May 11, 1959 ~ November 20, 2020
Benjamin Earl Travis, Jr., age 61, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, November 20th, 2020 in Wichita, Kansas with family at his side. Ben was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, on May 11, 1959. He married Tammy Tammaro on July 11, 1981, and they were married 39 years. Ben worked in greyhound racing throughout his life starting an entry-level job as an after-school dog handler, and ultimately retiring as the Director of Racing.
Ben had a passion for Family, Music, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He loved spending time with family, playing games with his grandchildren, and laughing with loved ones. He was a skilled musician and vocalist with several accomplishments including singing the first dance at both of his children’s weddings, and founding the country music band “Two-Way Traffic”. He was a life-long Steelers fan who enjoyed rooting for the team and attending games with his family at Arrowhead stadium and Heinz field.
Ben is survived by his wife Tammy; son and daughter and their spouses, Benjamin and Alexandra Travis and Angela and Clayton Jefferies. He leaves behind 4 grandchildren, Bryson, Addyson, Cayson and Adriana; his brother, Michael; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Andy and Jean Krupinski; and Aunt Mary Daner.
Ben was preceded in death by his mother Zora, and father “Buddy”.
Memorial Service, 3:00 p.m., Saturday, November 28 at Downing & Lahey Mortuary West Chapel. Memorial Service will be Live Streamed here, at www.dlwichita.com by clicking "Tribute Wall," then the "Watch Now" button inside of the gold "Live Webcast" box
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The first time I meet Big Ben was by introduction by his lovely wife who I was good friends with and he was playing with his band Two Way Traffic at Jerry’s Bar and Grill. From that moment on we had many dinners with the family, enjoyed watching his band play and oh coarse watched many Steelers and Packer games play at Quincys Bar. We hadn’t seen the family in several years but still hold those memories tight with us. Our condolences our with you Tammy, Ben and Angela. Know if there is anything we can do please don’t hesitate to ask.
My heartfelt sympathy to Tammy and family. Pete thought so highly of Ben, as did I. Ben was such a kind and thoughtful man, who never forgot his friends, no matter the distance that separated them. May God give comfort to his family. He will be missed by so many who love him. Rest In Peace, Ben.🌹
Ben was a class act. I had the pleasure and honor of working with him in Wichita for seven years. May he rest peacefully. Roy Berger
Tammy and family, Jim called to tell me Ben had passed away and my heart broke. I am continuing to pray for all of you and hope God’s peace comes to you. I have so many wonderful memories of Ben. I remember the first time we met as he came to Newton with Jim to see if I could learn to play bass in the band. He was always so patient as I learned. Then we began to be ready to find some gigs. We were so excited as the band began to improve and get bookings. Ben spent so much time learning songs, building the set lists and getting equipment and trailer set up. I will always remember the battle of the bands when we surprised so many and made the finals. It was a highlight for all of us. Jerry’s was so much fun and your table from work with many friends made it extra fun. I know you will remember Ben and I talking on the phone for hours after a gig and processing all the things we did. You told us we were like a bunch of old ladies exchanging recipes. We spent so many hours in your living room and garage practicing. You always put up with all of our ways. I will always miss Ben’s voice. It never felt right singing with other people. Ben doing harmony with me was like no one else could do. On London’s song I always missed when he was not with me. I had never had a bourbon and coke until I met Ben and I can’t drink Canadian Mist without thinking of Ben. So many times when we reconnected it was because we heard a song on the radio that we used to do and it made us think of one another. I could see his face ligh up when he talked about his family. He was so proud of all of you and he truly loved talking about what all of you were doing. We watched each others kids grow up. The grandkids were his pride and joy. I know you have some amazing pictures of the band and when the time is right I would love to get a good one of Ben and I if possible. I have many tapes and videos but is too hard to watch still for me. I loved Ben and will have a void with him gone. Thanks for sharing him with us all. Larry Thompson
Ben and the band surprised me on my 50 birthday. This is from that evening.
We enjoyed listening to Ben sing and play guitar, either with the band or solo at his home with a few fellow musicians. He was very talented and gave us some fun times. Our thoughts and prayers to Tammy and his family at this difficult time. Cherish your memories. Don & Cheryl Harvey
The few times I had the pleasure of being in Ben’s company , it was always a pleasure and a fun time. A good guy that will be missed. Dan Luciano
I was with Tammy the day of her first date with Ben. She was so Beautiful! What a wonderful life they shared with their children and grandchildren. Our thoughts and prayers are with you today. We love you all. Bill & Ellen
A memory I share with Ben, paired with a lesson I learned from him, won’t soon be forgotten. It happened just recently, July 30, 2020. The group of us were camping at Kaw and Clayton had decided to take the boat out with Ben and the kids. The wind got the better of Clayton and the next thing he knew, he was headed toward the dam with a boat that wouldn’t go, his kids and father-in-law in tow, wind causing 2-foot rollers, the sun on the verge of setting, and a storm looming in the distance. (For Clayton, a typical Thursday night. Not so much for the rest of us.) My dad (Jim) and I were the “lucky” crew to rescue them. The rest of us thought this might be the end, but Ben seemed so calm and collected, hanging out with the kids in the bow of the boat while Clayton held on to the boat while standing on the boulders of the dam, trying to keep the underside of his boat in one piece. I later learned that Ben wasn’t worked up because he’d had a few drinks that night. Lesson learned. Always bring some beers when you’re boating with Clayton. I am so sorry for your loss, but I am grateful for his life because his life affected mine through his daughter, Angela. I am grateful for how he raised her. She is a great wife for my brother and a phenomenal mother to my niece and nephews. Ben treated Clayton well, even before he ever knew him, preparing the perfect person for my brother to build a life with. May God grant you peace that passes all understanding.
Sandy and I met Ben at Jerry’s Bar around the early 2000’s ! We were watching him perform as a solo act with his accoustic guitar and were very impressed with his performance of Diary by Bread ,James Taylor , America , and the song American Pie by Don McClean plus so many more. We went up and talked to him and told him how impressed we were .Since that date ,we saw him play in Two Way Traffic and we loved it so much. One night we went to Jerry’s on a Sunday night and not long after that Ben and Jim Harrison (from Two Way Traffic ) came in and we visited..then ..one thing lead to another and they brought an accoustic guitar in ,since it was just us in there and a couple other patrons…we decided to all sit around and share some songs and sing together ( almost like sitting by a campfire ) ! All of a sudden ,we all started chiming in with harmonies like we had been doing it for years ! It was meant to be ! Since then our friendships grew and their families became our families . We decided to try and go all the way with our performing together and ended up with gigs almost every other week ! We called ourselves Ten Day- Two Way and loved every minute of it ! Since then we have been very close friends and have enjoyed many shared moments in all our lives ! Ben was such a true friend and you could always count on that ! He called us and talked to us for at least an hour every time he called us ! We will miss those phone calls so much ! He loved his wife , Tammy so much ! He sang for her with total love in his heart ! He loved his beautiful family with all his heart ! Benjamin Jr. And Angela ( his children ) and Grand kids were so important to him ! He loved animals ,too. This world will not be the same without him and his loving soul ! There are so many stories to tell about our shared adventures together ! We will never forget them ! We loved Ben soooooo much ! Friends forever ,Sandy and Tanya White
I have so many wonderful memories of Ben. He was honest, always truthful with his feelings and loved surrounding himself with family and friends. I still find myself closing my eyes remembering the first time I met Ben at his house and he played a James Taylor song and was blown away at his talent and new I wanted to be on stage with him. Over the years we played numerous gigs together along with ten day wish. I know we both loved the connection we had with Sandy and Tanya the four of us together were great at least the first three sets – the last set was always a ? The world won’t spin the same without you
I have known the family since I was 6. Big Ben was like a second father to me. Some of the best memories I have growing up as a kid were being with the Travis’s. Going to the lake for tubing, playing pool, super bowl parties, playing some of my first computer games as a kid, sleepovers, staying up late chatting, everything. He was an integral part in my upbringing. My condolences to the family for this unexpected event. Big Ben will not be forgot and will always be in my heart.
Ben was a truly good man who was devoted to Tammy, his kids, and grandchildren. He was the ultimate host for every gathering of friends and family and loved doing it. I am blessed to have been welcomed into Ben & Tammy’s circle of friends and into their family. Ben will be missed by many! As I remember Ben, I think of the time at one of their many gatherings, Ben offered me a glass of wine. I declined (I’m not a wine drinker), but quickly changed my mind. Ben continued to make sure he kept offering me more when my glass was getting empty and I would gladly let him fill it. Later, Ben asked if I would like another glass and I said “No thanks, I need to head home shortly.” Ben replied “Pam, you have drank the whole bottle, you might as well finish it off.” We laughed and I finished it off.
Ben was such a wonderful person who was always giving his time to listen and talk with others. He had all the makings of a great friend. Ben and I shared a love for music and I was fortunate to share the stage performing with him a handful of times. Ben had a beautiful voice and when performing would sing like every note was from the heart. Although music was a common ground for our friendship he would always talk of his family and shared stories of when he would spend time with them next and what they would be doing. His love for family was very strong. Thank you Ben for many years of great memories and a wonderful friendship. – Rod Martens
I had the privilege of working many years with Ben at the Wichita Greyhound Park. I remember most his professional demeanor and sense of humor. He was respected for his knowledge and fairness. I hope his family knows he will be remembered and missed.
Ben would come sing at our back yard parties with Two-Way Traffic & his voice was pure magic. He was a one of a kind good guy. A talented soul that cherished his family. My sympathy & love to the Travis Family. Jillian Toews
Ben and I used to solve the world’s problems over marathon games of pool, until the drinks ran out, or the sun came up. Those were the days. Rest in peace Ben