Travis C. Burch Memorial and Family Fund
Donation protected
It has been one week since Travis passed away. We are all still stricken with his loss.
In the last week, I’ve struggled to put together appropriate words for this fundraiser. Then I read his obituary, and I truly can’t say it any better than what his family wrote.
With that in mind, please read below and remember Travis for the incredible man he was. Below the obituary are some details and notes about our fundraiser:
Travis Cole Burch, aged 33, was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on June 7, 1989, to Claudio Burch and Lisa Lyman Carawan. He served with honor from 2007-2016 as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. Once he left the Marines, Travis worked as a real estate agent, developing his own real estate and construction brand, Roots Realty.
Travis was a daring, adventurous, and avid sportsman who lived larger than life. He enjoyed surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, and playing baseball. Through his competitive spirit, he excelled at everything and was determined to be the best in all his endeavors. He was a Jack-of-All-Trades who, through his creativity, hard work, and perseverance, built a strong foundation and beautiful life for his family.
He was a dreamer. His mind constantly raced with his next best idea. Through his creative nature and skilled hand, he enjoyed flipping houses side-by-side with his dad.
He recently coached for the Western Branch Orange Crush T-ball league, where he shared his passion for sports with his daughter Mia. As the youngest player in all Western branch T-ball, he was incredibly proud of Mia’s natural athleticism and ability to keep up with the ‘big kids.’
Travis was most at peace by the ocean. A strong swimmer and loving water, he was able to share his passion with his daughter Annabelle. Watching her compete during swim season and taking her surfing brought him great joy.
Travis was a man’s man. He owned big trucks, sports cars, and fast bikes. His son, Ezekiel, is not only Travis’s mirror image but shares the same love for all things big, loud, and fast. Nothing brought Travis greater happiness than taking his son to every Monster Truck Show, teaching him skateboarding, and watching him skillfully maneuver his 4-wheeler at two years old.
Looking for a part-time helper, Travis entered the Marine Recruiting Station seeking to assist a young future Marine with paid work before departing for Bootcamp. Travis often chose to help others as he wished he had been. Travis instead left the Marine Recruiting Station with another son, Elijah. Travis was able to propel his son from adolescence into manhood. Through Elijah, his legacy of guidance and support lives on.
He included his children in all he did, providing validation for their being and praise for their achievements. He was determined to raise fearless and strong-spirited children with a thirst for adventure and a deep appreciation for life.
Travis was always the life of the party. He was a statement. By his confidence alone, he made strangers feel like family and always extended a helping hand, even if it was at the expense of himself.
Tragically, Travis passed from this life on June 16, 2022, in a motorcycle accident.
At nineteen, Travis became a dad for the first time to his beloved Annabelle Lucia (aged 13), with whom he had a special bond.
On August 13, 2017, Travis married the love of his life Avian Lain. They have two children, Mia Sahar (aged 4) and Ezekiel Cole (aged 2).
Recently, Travis and Avian adopted an exceptional young man, Elijah Nash, as their foster son.
Travis leaves to mourn his passing and celebrate his life, his beloved wife, Avian. Three children: Annabelle (mom Joy), Mia and Ezekiel. Special son, Elijah Nash. Mom, Lisa Lyman Carawan, Father, Claudio Burch (Emily). Three sisters: Holly, Claudia (Joel), and Olivia. Five brothers: his compass Justin (Amanda), Joshua, Dennis (Kaitlynn), Anthony, and Ricky Carawan. His family in love: Frank and Landis Lain, brother-in-law, Brian Lain (Brittany). Special Marine friends: Raoul Sheridan (Cynthia), Kris Bowers (Amanda), Jordan Roe, and a host of beloved nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.
*** Again, I couldn’t have written anything better. And with that, I’ll fill you in on who I am. My name is Raoul P. Sheridan, and Travis was both one of my Marines and most dear friends. His loss has left me bewildered and aching because I loved him as much as any brother. I trained him in Artillery and watched him grow from a challenging young man into an energetic and amazing friend, father, and husband.
Having recently experienced the death of my brother-in-law and my wife’s dealing with all the matters regarding her brother’s estate, we understand far too well how long these things take and how challenging they can be. This fundraiser is meant to offer a beautiful and grieving family some breathing room as they navigate this loss and all it entails.
100% of the money raised will be provided directly to Avian to care for the children and their schooling, relieve any financial difficulties, and generally assist them in getting through this awful time.
One further note… having done this kind of fundraiser twice last year, I learned a few things. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to potential corporate and institutional donors. We managed to raise a lot of money through some very generous people and organizations for one of Travis’ friend’s memorials last year, and you never get a yes if you don’t ask.
Finally, there is another GoFundMe for Travis here:
This fundraiser is legitimate, so feel free to donate to either one. I do not personally know Mr. Joseph Harms but understand he is a friend of Travis’ through their truck community. As our communities don’t overlap, we thought it would be a good idea to put this one together, especially for all the Marines and other Tidewater friends.
Thanks so much, and may God Bless you in your mourning of a man it was so easy to love.
Fundraising team (2)
Raoul P Sheridan
Organizer
Norfolk, VA
Justin Burch
Team member