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Travis Walton Crafts

Date of Death: March 19, 2025

Date of Birth: March 2, 1973

Biography:

Travis W. Crafts, 52, of Durham, Maine passed away in the arms of his loving wife on March 19, 2025 after a hard fought battle with esophageal cancer. If only he had been able to be frozen in carbonite until a cure was found.

 Travis was born in Brunswick, Maine to Paul F and Sylvia J Crafts. Raised in Lisbon Falls, he graduated from Lisbon High School in 1991. Travis lived life on his own schedule and his road to a college degree was no exception; he was proud to receive his degree from the University of Maine, Orono in 2011. Shortly after high school, Travis began working summers at the Lisbon Rec Department which he continued into his 30’s. He developed lifelong friendships with his fellow counselors and his former “rec kids” alike. The memories made during that time are those of legend and are still discussed among his circle to this day. Travis found his passion and calling and began his career in education working as an Ed Tech; he transferred to Lewiston High School after beginning his career and worked there until his passing. With the support of his peers and administration, Travis spent the last several years of his life working as a teacher. He was thrilled to teach English and Movie Crit, which seemed to be a class created for him. He was a remarkable teacher, and he had the innate ability to meet students where they were at and lift them up to achieve what they thought impossible.

 Travis met Kelly, the love of his life, in 2004. The two self-proclaimed anti-social, anti-romantics somehow found their way to each other and were soon inseparable. He was nervous that his dark humor and utter love for all things Star Wars would scare her away; he was pleasantly surprised to find she was his match in humor, and found those qualities charming. (Although she never did appreciate the wretched Star Wars Holiday Special.) Together they shared a love of Lego building, all things Christmas, cinema, mastering pizza making, and, most recently, playing board games. Travis and Kelly loved to travel together, taking cruises, road trips and visiting casinos. When they married in 2011, their wedding invitation was a comic book written by Travis, entitled “Bookends.”  Their life together was built on love and laughter and was enhanced by a colorful cast of characters he loved very much.  

 Travis was a collector and kid at heart. He loved nothing more than finding original toys from the 70’s and 80’s. During his travels with Kelly, finding unusual potato chips and candy was one of his greatest joys, between his quests to find the best comic book, record, board game stores, and a place to have a “legendary meal.”

 Travis was a devoted and loving husband, “fur kid” dad, son, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend. He was a positive influence, teacher and mentor to many. He left a lasting impact on all who knew him and an impossible to fill hole for all who loved him.

 Travis was predeceased by his parents, brother Brandon Crafts, aunt and uncle Sheila and Charles “Bud” Walton and his dear “brother”, Tyson Curtis. Travis is survived by his loving wife, Kelly Crafts and their fur-kids of Durham. Aunt Meredith Michaelis and partner Bob Kelly, his cousin Michael Michaelis and his wife Jennifer and their children, all of Auburn and  his loving in-laws of Lehigh Acres, FL. Travis also leaves behind long-time friends Ian Davis and Angel Tibbets, his dear friend and mentor, Linda Iverson, as well as Travis and Kelly’s tight family of friends.

 In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Almost Home Rescue or Hart of Maine.

Kelly would like to thank the staff at New England Cancer Specialists and the LHS community for their support and encouragement during his illness. It truly meant the world to both of us.

 A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later time to honor him in a manner truly fitting – with an inordinate amount of laughter and wit.