Obituary for Travis James Enfield "Hot Wheels"

Travis James Enfield (“Hot Wheels”), 46, passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa, following a brave battle with multiple health issues.

Travis was born to Daryl and Jane (Juelfs) Enfield in Humboldt, Iowa.  He grew up on his family farm and was homeschooled K-12th grade.  Travis helped on the farm as a child and teenager by walking beans and detasseling corn.  He was a Humboldt BB Gun Club member and competed at the state and national level in this sport.  These activities sparked his interest in firearms, target shooting and gun safety.   During his high school years and after, Travis was a ski instructor and member of the National Ski Patrol at Silver Creek and worked at Hy-Vee, KHBT, and Fort Dodge Labs.   Travis moved to Ankeny, IA, and met the love of his life, Melissa Mead.  They married in the summer of 2013.  Through that union, he gained a daughter, Brittini, whom he loved as his own.  Travis worked at Access Direct, Ames Cars and Cyclone Detailing. He most recently retired from Lederman Bail Bonds, where he excelled at researching and developing relationships with their customers while helping people when they needed it most.  Travis had a fabulous vocabulary and was a massive help to his dad, when he entrusted Travis to help edit his book.  Along with all of his activities, Travis participated in Renaissance Faires with Sons of the Mist and met many long-time friends.  Most recently, Travis spent many hours reading, interested in war, politics and constitutional history.  He loved his country and the freedoms we have been afforded and was grateful for the service of our armed forces.

Most importantly, though, he was a devoted grandpa to Bailey and Isabella - narrating their plays, reading books to them, and teaching them many life lessons.  Travis was outgoing, loved meeting people, and had a sense of humor everyone adored.  If you were having a bad day and happened to run into Travis, he would brighten your day.  Travis faced many challenges with his health, and with each obstacle, he would say, “Head down, reload, advance to contact” to stay positive and get through the hardships.  All those who loved him will feel his loss, and he will be dearly missed.

Travis is survived by his wife, Melissa of Ankeny; his daughter Brittini (Joe) Disney, Colo; two granddaughters Bailey and Isabella, his parents Jane and Daryl Enfield of Ankeny, IA; a brother Nathan (Sarah) Enfield of Ames, mother and father-in-law Richard and Betty Coomes, brothers and sisters-in-law Mike and Stacie Coomes and Eric and Lesley Coomes, 13 nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles Ron and Becky Juelfs, Stan and Sally Howell, Terry and Shelley Coomes. 

Visitation will be at City Church of Ames, 2400 Oakwood Rd, Ames, IA, on Monday, September 23, at 9 am, followed by a memorial service at 10:30 am.  Iowa Cremation Center is assisting the family, and cremation rites have been accorded.  The inurnment will be at a later date.  The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at DaVita Dialysis as well as the medical team at Iowa Methodist Medical Center for their care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family in the care of Melissa Enfield.