Dresden, TN – The Rev. Kermit Edward Travis, 88, of Dresden, Tenn., went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 24, 2026.
Known widely as “Buddy,” he was the pastor of his home church New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Sharon, Tenn.
Brother Travis was born on March 6, 1938, in Palmersville, Tenn., to James Robert (“Jim”) and Virginia Lincoln Kennedy Travis. A graduate of the 1957 class of Dresden High School, Buddy was active in the Future Farmers of America and played football.
He attended the University of Tennessee at Martin with a field of study in agriculture. He then went on to groom, train, and race harness horses for the Grand Circuit, for such legendary industry greats as Joe O’Brien, George Sholty, and Del Cameron, serving as an assistant trainer and bookkeeper. Buddy then used the knowledge gained, not only from his grandfather, father, father-in-law as well as his sister, along with friends he made through the years. As a third-generation horseman he eventually owned, trained and raced his own harness horses, including Fantastic Frisky, that he bred and raised on the family farm. He was an owner, trainer, and driver with the United States Trotting Association, where he enjoyed racing his Standardbred racehorses at county and state fairs in Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee. It was while going to the county fairs as a child that he met and eventually married Patricia (Pat) Dowell of Lone Oak, Ky.
He was in the U.S. Army Reserve and was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis, serving at Fort Bragg, and later in the Tennessee National Guard, obtaining an honorable discharge.
While working for Castleton Farms, Buddy felt the call of God to the ministry of Jesus Christ, and he and Pat moved to McKenzie, Tenn., where he enrolled at Bethel College. He graduated from Bethel College in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts in history and then earned his Master of Divinity degree from Memphis Theological Seminary in 1969. He pursued additional clinical training through the Institute of Medicine and Religion. He was certified as a hospital chaplain, attaining standing as a Fellow with the American Protestant Hospital Association and served in the Memphis City Hospital.
Brother Travis served congregations in both Tennessee and Kentucky, including Obion Chapel and Martin Cumberland Presbyterian Churches, encompassing two pastorates at Martin. He also served at Olivet Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Tenn., and the Cumberland Presbyterian Churches in Glasgow, Ky., Kenton, Tenn., Mason Hall, Tenn., and was currently serving as the full-time pastor of his home church, New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Sharon, Tenn. His ministry was marked by steady congregational growth, organizational development and significant improvements to church facilities, including expansion projects, the construction of a new manse at Olivet, and later worked with the New Salem congregation to build a new facility following the destruction of its historic building by the 2021 tornado.
Beyond the local church, Brother Travis was deeply engaged in ecumenical and civic life. He helped organize interdenominational worship services, served on the Pastoral Advisory Board of Western State Mental Hospital in Bolivar, Tenn., and actively participated in community organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Dresden High School Band Booster President, and local ministerial alliances, often holding leadership roles. He also served as a delegate to multiple meetings of the General Assembly and contributed to the life of the Church through presbytery committees and denominational service.
In addition to parish ministry, Buddy served approximately 14 years at the Northwest Tennessee Correctional Facility, first as a case manager and later as chaplain, extending his pastoral care to those within the correctional system. His commitment to ministry also included service on the board of Camp Clark Williamson for nine years and leadership in church camping programs during the 1970s and 1980s.
A man of wide-ranging interest and abilities, he also pursued work and certifications beyond the pulpit, including licensure as a real estate affiliate broker and auctioneer, and was still active in agriculture and harness racing circles to this day.
Known as a builder of both congregations and community, Brother Travis understood his role as enabling churches to discern their mission and grow into it. His ministry combined practical leadership, theological conviction, and a commitment to nurturing both individual faith and the shared life of the church.
His greatest pride was his children, who he nurtured and gently guided with fatherly advice, love, and support.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Pat Dowell Travis; his children, Julie Travis of Brentwood, Tenn., Jamie Travis (Kevin) Gallimore of Sharon, Tenn., and Jon Travis of Sharon, Tenn.; his sister, Jane Travis (John Phillip) Cross of Olney, Ill.; his sister-in-law Barbara Henderson Travis of Newbern, Tenn., and sister-in-law, Lisa Travis of Lebanon, Tenn.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Robert (Jim) Travis and Virginia Kennedy Travis, as well as his brothers James Kenneth Travis and Robert Daniel Travis.
In lieu of flowers, any memorials may be given to one of the following: New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 2721 Sharon Rd., Sharon, TN, 38255; Camp Clark Williamson (a Cumberland Presbyterian Youth Church Camp), 390 Mason Rd., Humboldt, TN 38343; the Dresden High School FFA Chapter, 7150 HWY 22, Dresden, TN 38225; or the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, 2711 Friar Tuck Road, Anderson, IN 46013.