Travis Franklin Akers, 91, Kansas City, MO, died Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at Saint Joseph Medical Center, Kansas City, MO. Services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, October 25 at the Atkinson Chapel, Harrisonville, MO. Visitation 6:00-8:00 PM Friday, October 24 at the chapel. Burial in Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to Freeman Cemetery Association, c/o Freeman Monument, 400 South Washington, Freeman, MO 64746.

Travis was born January 23, 1917 in Freeman, MO, the son of Thomas R and Elizabeth (Kingcade) Akers. He married Eula M. Hatch on November 10, 1946 in Kansas City.

Before entering WWII as an aircraft mechanic, Travis was a farmer near Freeman, MO. He overhauled engines from B17s and C140s in England and in France. He and his fellow mechanics shattered world records by overhauling engines totaling two and one half million horsepower in a one-month period. After returning home, Travis was a carpenter, retiring in 1979. He was a 50-year Gold Card lifetime member of the Carpenters Union Local #61 and he was a member of the Freeman Baptist Church.

Travis was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Akers, his mother, Mary Turpin and his stepfather, Lincoln Turpin. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Eula, of the home; two sons, Wayne Akers and his wife, Barbara, Concordia, KS and Gary Akers and his wife, Jan, Prairie Village, KS; six grandchildren, Lori SooHoo and her husband, Joel, Hillsboro, KS, Jon Akers, Borger, TX, Adam Akers and his wife, Albena, Newton, KS, Tia Regier and her husband, Matt, Fresno, CA, Gena Akers, Concordia, KS and Paul Akers, Prairie Village, KS and two great-granddaughters.