Randy Travis’ Father, Harold Traywick, Dies

Randy Travis and his family are mourning the loss of Harold Traywick, Travis' father. Traywick passed way on Saturday (Oct. 8), at the age of 83, at his home in Marshville, N.C.

Born on March 31, 1933, in Marshville, Traywick owned a construction company, ran a meat route, owned a turkey farm and raised horses and cattle, according to his obituary. He was especially passionate about horses; in fact, Travis praised his father's training abilities in a 1990 interview.

"My daddy can make a horse do just about anything you could ever expect to see a horse do -- and some things you couldn't," the country star said at the time; he had recently bought a horse, Shorty, from his father, and called the animal "the smartest animal I've ever seen."

Traywick, the son of Bruce and Etta Traywick, married Bobbie Rose Tucker in November of 1957. Together, they had six children (Travis is the second oldest); she passed away on May 21, 1998.

In addition to Travis and his wife, Mary Davis, Traywick is survived by children Ricky Traywick (Teresa Bearden); Rose Arrowood; David Traywick (Dawn Sims); Linda Sue Traywick; and Dennis Traywick (Mary Cordier). He also leaves behind a number of grandchildren -- Ricky (Leon) Traywick, Jennifer Traywick, April Traywick, Matthew Arrowood, Tiffany Funderburk, Kaitlyn Arrowood, Erika Traywick, Tucker Traywick and Justin Traywick -- and four great-grandchildren: Gracie Traywick, Madelyn Rose Traywick, Calli Carlton and Mason Hamer.

Traywick's visitation will take place on Tuesday (Oct. 11) from 6PM until 8PM at Marshville's Morgan & Son Funeral Home. His funeral is set to be held on Wednesday (Oct. 12) at 11AM, at Fountain Hill United Methodist Church, with a burial following, at Fountain Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Sadly, Traywick passed away about one week before a major career milestone for his son: Travis is set to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday (Oct. 16), as part of the Class of 2016.

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