APG of the Rockies Call Center
https://www.wyomingnews.com
Ian and Christine Travers
Ian Lawrence Travers (1931-2025), 94 years, and Mary Christine Sylvia Travers ne? Lacey (1934-2025), 91 years, passed peacefully on March 18 and 19, 2025, 13 hours apart and literally side by side, at Davis Hospice, Cheyenne, Wyoming. They had a deep and lasting connection and had been married 72 years. Ian declined quickly after they learned of Christine's cancer prognosis. Ian and Christine lost an infant son, Gary Lee Travers, while living in Japan in 1960. All three will be buried in the National Cemetery in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in May.
Ian was born on April 7, 1931, in Lambeth, London, England, to Phyllis Eileen Rolfe, but was raised primarily by his grandparents, Harold and Ethel Lawrence in both London, England, and Slough, Buckinghamshire, England. Ian lost his sister, Angela Edwards (Marinette, WI), in 2005.
Christine was born on January 22, 1934, in Slough, Buckinghamshire, England, to May Lacey. She was raised by her mother and step-father Ernie Spires. Christine lost her brother, Robert (Ann) Spires much too early in 2003.
They are survived by their daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Kevin Chamberlain of Laramie, their grandchildren, Melanie Matthews (Caleb Owens) of Laramie, and Ryan Chamberlain of Bismarck, ND. Over the decades, Ian and Christine maintained strong ties with Christine's family, especially sister-in-law Ann Spires (Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire, England), and her children and grandchildren.
In addition, Ian is survived by his nephew Steve (Amy) Edwards (Marinette, WI), his cousin, Sue (Tim) Martin (Portsmouth, Hampshire) and cousin Terry Lawrence (Doncaster, Yorkshire). Christine is survived by sister-in-law, Ann Spires, and her children, Anita (Gavin) Spires, Sarah (Paul) McFarland, and David (Suhana) Spires.
Ian left school at age 16, common at the time, and worked with the Railroad as a Fireman. He and Christine married in 1954 and promptly made plans to emigrate to Canada. Once they arrived in Toronto, Ontario, where they had been promised "like work", Ian found that the Canadian Railroad had recently converted to diesel-powered locomotives away from coal-powered, and that the only work available in the RR was as a steward. Not wanting to be away from Christine for long periods of time, he opted for other short term work, eventually hearing about the possibility of other Brits joining the US Air Force across the border at Niagara Falls. After being accepted into the USAF, Ian departed for Mississippi for boot camp and further training. Christine followed 6 months later. They both became US citizens and during Ian's 20-year AF career, Ian and Christine lived in New Mexico, Japan, Tennessee, England (2 tours, Suffolk), California, and Oklahoma. In addition, Ian had Temporary Duty assignments in Turkey, Italy, Libya, Philippines, and France. He rose to the rank of Chief Master Sargent and primarily worked as an Electronic Technician on cargo planes. During those years, Ian's favorite pastimes were playing on the base soccer and darts teams, fishing at Shingle Street, and working on the vegetable garden at their Campsea Ashe home. Christine was a mother to Diane and home-maker with volunteer work and other social interactions that were common of an Air Force spouse at the time.
In 1974, when Ian learned that his next military assignment was to be in Thailand, he and his wife decided to retire from the USAF, and moved to Salem, Oregon, to begin a new chapter in their lives.
In Oregon, Ian worked with the USPS for a second 20-year career while Christine worked as a bookkeeper and Office Manager. In those years, Ian enjoyed deep sea fishing out of Depoe Bay and using his fresh water boat at Detroit Lake. In addition, Ian continued competing at darts with a pub team out of Salem. Christine gardened extensively, became an accomplished artist in oil painting and explored spirituality with like-minded groups. She had a kind and perceptive nature with a good sense of humor.
In 1999, Ian and Christine moved to Cheyenne, WY, in order to be closer to their daughter and granddaughter, choosing a city with both a VA medical center and an AF base. In Cheyenne, Ian participated for 24 years with the Cheyenne Cribbage Club and travelled with the club to multiple regional contests. Their proximity to their family allowed them to attend many family events: many shared Thanksgivings, Christmas and Easter holidays, a wedding, the birth of another grandchild, multiple graduation ceremonies, volleyball games, LHS musical theater events, and many, many baseball games.
Mom and Dad, Nanny and Grandpa, We love you.
LINKS
Laramie Boomerang
http://www.laramieboomerang.com
Memories
Gallery
Guestbook