Kristalea Travis

Our beloved Kristalea Travis, age 101, passed away at Denver Hospice on Sunday, January 19, 2025. 

Kris, as some of her friends called her, was born in Alliance, Ohio on November 30, 1923 and grew up in Huntington, West Virginia before moving with her beloved husband Ted and son John to Denver Colorado in 1949. She was a stay at home mom dedicated to her two boys John and Jim and joined Ted in the restaurant business only after her sons were grown. She continued to encourage and support her family and extended family in any way possible. She had faith and zest for life--always appreciative of the care and help she received in her last few years so that she could stay in her home in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood for 75 years total. She was an outstanding waitress with many well-known patrons requesting her specifically, including the Denver Broncos. Kristalea’s life was dominated by her strong faith in God, her love of the church and church activities and endless volunteering including Philoptohos (Friends of the Poor), baking for the Greek Festival and singing in the church choir for over 70 years. She was awarded ABC’s channel 7 Everyday Hero award in 2014 for her tutoring at Park Hill Elementary school to help students with math and reading. News traveled to Washington D.C. regarding Kristalea’s many hours of selfless volunteering and in 2006 Kristalea earned the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the White House. She loved cooking and gardening, especially flowers--also crafts—sewing, knitting, needlepoint and even millinery (designing and making hats). She also loved exercise and walks in the neighborhood and was a proud participant in Silver Sneakers.

Kristalea is survived by her son Jim (Anna), her grandchildren Sebastian, Elias, Zoe (Josh) and her great-grandchildren James, Caleb, Andrew James-AJ, Phillip Eugene-Geno and Ashten. In addition, she still has nephews and nieces and their families in the United States and in Greece. Kris always referred to herself as a “people person”, has many friends and is considered to be a treasure to all who knew her.

Kristalea is preceded in death by her husband Ted in 1998, her son Father John in 2022 and her brothers Dan and John in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

A Trisagion followed by Funeral Service will be held on Friday January 24, 2025 10:30am at Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral, followed by a Graveside Service at Fairmount Cemetery. The family warmly invites you to join them back at the church for a Makaria luncheon, following the Graveside Service.

Please use the following link to view the services via livestream: Funeral Service for Kristalea Travis

Memorial contributions can by made in Kristalea's honor to any of the following organizations:

Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral: 4610 E Alameda Ave. Denver CO 80246  

Friends of St Michael (Brotherhood of St George Monastery): 361 Forest St Denver CO 80220

Denver Hospice: 8289 E. Lowry Boulevard Denver CO 80230

Floral arrangements in honor of Kristalea maybe be ordered from Diamond Floral 303-399-5543