It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Lieutenant Colonel Travis Howard Sheets, United States Air Force (Retired). He was a devoted husband, loving father, treasured son, loyal friend, decorated Air Force officer and mentor. Driven by an endless thirst for knowledge, Travis was a lifelong learner and a devoted teacher. He had a passion for discovering new things and the unswerving pursuit of truth. His life was defined by love, empathy, enthusiasm, service, and a deep commitment to helping others.
Travis spent much of his childhood exploring the great outdoors in the mountains of West Virginia, his home state, a place he cherished for its boundless wonder and beauty. After graduating from Herbert Hoover High School in his hometown of Clendenin, West Virginia, Travis left rural Appalachia as the first person in his family to attend college but never forgot his roots or humble beginnings.
Travis graduated from Virginia Tech in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and was commissioned as a distinguished graduate of Air Force ROTC Detachment 875. Over an extraordinary military career, he became a joint-qualified officer and senior special operations pilot, deploying in support of missions across five continents, including Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn. He accumulated more than 3,900 flight hours, including more than 2,400 combat hours, flying the U-28A and other fixed-wing aircraft.
His service extended far beyond the cockpit. Travis held leadership positions in special operations, on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, innovating.
Upon retirement from active duty and three master’s degrees later, Travis returned to his beloved collegiate alma mater, Virginia Tech, to serve as the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets 4th Battalion Deputy Commandant. No matter which organization he was part of, he devoted himself to preparing future officers to become leaders and citizens of character, leaving a lasting mark on the cadets, students, colleagues, and institutions entrusted to his care.
Travis’s military honors include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with 18 oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Combat Action Medal. Yet those closest to him will remember him not by decorations or titles, but by his most treasured titles: husband and father.Travis’s greatest joys were his wife, Kim, of 20 years, and two children, Avett and Hadley. As a father, he didn’t just tell stories; he created them. His adventurous spirit took them on countless adventures that will be cherished forever. From Chick-fil-A lunches to ski trips to Austria, Colorado, Montana, West Virginia, and New York, Travis made sure family trips were unforgettable. He showed them how to love others, give to others, and be true to themselves. Whether it was deer hunting in West Virginia, a 4-wheeler trip to the creek, a spontaneous trip to the bike park, or simply while reading a bedtime story, he instilled in them a deep resilience and curiosity.A lifelong athlete, Travis did not miss an opportunity to coach one of his children’s teams. Whether he was coaching baseball or basketball, he viewed his role as much more than teaching the game. To him, the fields and courts were a classroom for life. He taught his players the value of discipline, resilience, teamwork, and integrity—lessons they carried with them long after the final whistle blew.Travis looked at the world with a sense of wonder and taught everyone around him that life was meant to be lived outside of the comfort zone. Travis’s life cannot be measured only in years, missions, titles, or awards. It is carried forward in the family he loved, the friends who stood beside him, the Airmen he served with, and the young leaders he challenged and inspired. His courage, leadership, and devotion to others will not be forgotten.Travis is survived by his wife, Kim, and two children, Avett and Hadley; his mother, Anita (Rucker) Pennington of Charleston, WV; his father, Richard Sheets of Clendenin, WV; his sister, Ashley Sheets; aunts and uncles; brothers and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews; many cousins and countless friends.“Lead with love.” – TravisFamily and friends are invited to gather for a funeral honoring the life and service of Travis Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, 10 a.m. at Cassell Coliseum, 675 Washington St. SW, Blacksburg. Parking is free on campus on weekends, unless posted otherwise. Parking in the Coliseum Lot (Lot 1), Stadium Lot (Lot 2), or the Track Lot (Lot 4) is recommended. The VT parking map can be found at: https://parking.vt.edu/parking-guide-map.html.Military honors will be observed. Uniform of the Day: Service Dress.In lieu of flowers, gifts in Travis’s memory can be made to the New River Community College Educational Foundation (Montgomery County ACCE, Scholarships, or Other – Welding) to support young men and women seeking college tuition assistance and the welding program that Travis so enjoyed.https://www.nr.edu/foundation/giving_ways.php.
