Obituary of Travis Presley

Travis Presley, age 75, died peacefully at home on September 16th. He is survived by two step-children, Eric Weissmann and Kirsten Lamphere; six grandchildren, David, Isabel and Jonah Weissmann, Alice and Madeline Lamphere, and Travis Pilarcik; two nieces, Celia Hill and Connie Myrick; and one nephew, Alan Rushing. He was born on November 3, 1941 and was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Grace Presley of Marshall, Arkansas; sister, Barbara Rushing of Marshall, Arkansas; and two spouses, Jerry Boutwell and Carol Weissmann. Travis requested that there be no memorial or celebration of life services. He was cremated and his ashes scattered. 

Travis left last thoughts for us: 

If you're reading this I won't be answering your phone calls anymore. I don’t think there’s anything ahead of me but I had a lot of different chapters in this life and learned something important from everything I did, whether it was easy or not.

I tried to look straight at hard questions and not be afraid of the complicated answers. I was also a long-standing advocate for the Death with Dignity movement. And dancing – ballroom, waltz, swing – was one of the greatest simple joys in my life.

I had as good a life as one could wish for. I want to thank the voters of Colorado who voted for the Colorado End of Life Options Act. The availability of this law got me through several very bad days and nights. I am especially grateful to my partner, Dee Hogan, and my children, Kirsten and Eric, and I want to say thank you to all the women who danced with me.  

Special recognition should go to Kim Mooney of Practically Dying, LLC, and to Halcyon Hospice for their professional and compassionate support of my values and choices. And a special thank you to the Avalon Ballroom, where people can learn to dance their hearts out.