UKIAH, CA., 8/21/24 – The world lost a bright musical star and beloved son of Ukiah when it was announced on August 11 that Chon Travis died.
Travis, a bassist and singer, was a member of the internationally renowned punk band Love Equals Death, which was touring Europe this month. According to a post on the band’s Facebook page, Travis was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Stafford, England on August 11, hours before the band’s concert was to start. “He did not use drugs and was in very good spirits for this entire tour,” the band posted, expressing shock about his death. The cause of his death has yet to be released.
Word of his death moved through the community quickly with fans and friends around the world expressing shock and heartbreak. “An Ukiah legend and mainstay, true, but also an astonishingly down to earth and good-natured human being,” shared Amber Ottey, who grew up in Ukiah and now lives in Boise. “He always had it, that magic, from early days as kids down dusty Low Gap and the smoky ass donut shop to recently when I got to reconnect here in Boise on tour.”
When not touring with his band, Travis was a resident of Ukiah, where he raised his daughters with his wife, Sara. He was born and raised in Ukiah, graduating from Ukiah High School in 1990.
In 2018, Travis made an unsuccessful run for Ukiah City Council, becoming the first African American to run for the council. In an October 2018 interview with The Ukiah Daily Journal, Travis shared that he wanted to serve on the council to improve the city’s quality of life for his children by expanding extracurricular activities for kids, as well as expanding the affordable housing stock in the community and providing more opportunities for small business development.
Mendocino County Supervisor Maureen Mulheren ran as a city council incumbent against Travis in 2018. In a brief statement, she said “Chon’s kindness, dedication, and unwavering spirit touched the lives of so many. He will be greatly missed by our entire community.”
Friends of Travis and his family have rallied to create a GoFundMe to support efforts to bring Travis back from Europe and for funeral expenses. Learn more and donate here.
There will also be a bake sale, lemonade and shaved ice fundraiser to support the Travis family and memorial from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. (or sell out) on Saturday, August 24, at the Redwood Valley-Calpella Fire Department, 8481 East Rd., Redwood Valley.
Chon will always be Ukiah, home. I hope u rest well Chon, everyone will miss u!
That’s very sad news.
Legend and friend to all. Chon, I’m going to miss you big time.
You will be remembered always. For ever in our Hearts. I’m going to miss you my friend. Much love and respect always and for ever!!! Give your Mamma kisses and hugs!!!
So much love for Chon.
You made history my love, you really did!
Very sad to hear of your passing Mr. Chon, I promise to do my best as a grandparent myself, and “Adopted Geeg” to your Jasper and watch over him and Shampaine best I can and to remind him how much you truly cared for him. I may have NEVER met you in person,yet even over long distance calls I could feel in your voice and your spirit how much you cared for your
eldest daughter and your awesome grandson
Very sad to hear of your passing Mr. Chon, I promise to do my best as a grandparent myself, and “Adopted Geeg” to your Jasper and watch over him and Shampaine best I can and to remind him how much you truly cared for him. I may have NEVER met you in person,yet even over long distance calls I could feel in your voice and your spirit how much you cared for your
eldest daughter and your awesome grandson. Rest in peace kind sir. I know we will meet one day! (By the way if you need ANYTHING up there, ask for Lois Evelyn Barekman, my Grams👵. Pretty sure she’s sitting next to our Awesome “L&S” (Lord n Savior) 🙏
Those that knew Chon were lucky to have him in our lives. I was jut one of those! Chon is leaving a huge space that cannot be filled. Rest peacefully, our darling!