Wayne Traveller

Wayne Kent Traveller left this world suddenly on Saturday, March 12, 2011. He left us doing one of the things he loved most - running on a beautiful day. He will be sorely missed by family, friends, and all who knew him. He lived a full life, always putting others first.Kent was born on November 26, 1945 in Logan, Utah. He grew up in Richmond, Utah, and has always considered it home. He possessed a great memory and enjoyed sharing stories from the farm and life experiences beyond that. Kent developed a love for the land at an early age. This shaped his life. He graduated from North Cache High School in 1964. He was called as a missionary to the Southern States mission a year later, serving primarily in North Carolina. He returned to Utah State University and graduated in 1970 with a degree in Landscape Architecture. During that time, he met his sweetheart, Margene, who he married in 1968. A few years later he took a job with the Forest Service. He worked in many capacities for the Forest Service over the next 36 years until he retired. He loved his time spent doing fieldwork the most. He also spent many years as a forest firefighter. His stamina was well known among his crews. A few years ago he returned to work as an Environmental Inspector for Transcon, working on the Milford Windfarm. He found great satisfaction in this. In his own words, he "liked to see things built."Kent was very active in the community. He served on the Utah Board of Tourism for several years, volunteered and participated in the Senior Games, coordinated multiple biking events, and enjoyed his tinkering and tuning at the local bike shop, Cedar Cycle. Kent was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a gifted speaker and teacher, possessing much insight. He has always had a great love for the youth and his church service exemplifies this. He served as a bishop for an SUU student ward and was currently serving as Young Mens President. Other church service includes the Stake Young Mens Presidency, High Councilman, an avid Scout leader, and often spoke highly of his experience at Wood Badge. He had tremendous love for those he served, often doing much more behind the scenes. Some of his choicest memories were his outdoor adventures with the young men he led. He will remain an example for all of us to follow.Kent lived life with determination, always pushing himself to do more and work harder. He has enjoyed running for many years and met his goal to qualify for and run the Boston marathon. He rode 140 miles in honor of his 60th birthday. His brilliant memory was most noticeable when he would share his vast collection of cowboy poetry. He owned horses at one time and spent many nights on the range, making his poems more personal. He had a passion for reading and constantly sought to learn more. He seemed to know just about everything. He had a love of diversity and showed this through his travels and sincere curiosity of other cultures and peoples. He was an excellent fly fisherman and often talked of a future time when he could fish more. Among many things he will be remembered and missed for are backpacking adventures in the Uintas, his ability to build or fix anything, working in his yard and garden, his delicious dutch oven cooking, thoughtful phone calls and gifts, late night stories and conversations, playing with his grandchildren who adored their "Papa", and the countless hours of service and time he gave to others so readily.Kent has lived a life to celebrate in every way and would want us to do just that. He has left a legacy of love, preparation, compassion, ambition, dedication and service that will be with us forever. We are so blessed to have been able to call him husband, father, grandfather and friend.He is survived by his wife, Margene Cluff Traveller, his children Lance Wayne, Melanie (Tyler) DeSpain, Camille (Ryan) Bell, and Jaron Charles; his grandchildren Lauryn, Katelyn, Camden, and Dylan, and his siblings Kathryn (Reese) Hansen, Ann (Darwin) Hansen, and Bruce (Leanne) Traveller. He is preceded in death by his daughter Kristen, and his parents Wayne Peart and Melba Christensen Traveller.A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 12:00 noon at the Cedar City 16th Ward located at 320 South 1925 West in Cedar City, Utah. A Viewing will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Southern Utah Mortuary located at 190 North 300 West in Cedar City, Utah. On Thursday, March 17, 2011 the viewing will be at the Church from 10:30-11:30 am prior to the service. Interment will be in the Richmond Cemetery in Richmond, Utah on Friday, March 18, 2011 at 2:00 pm under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary.