Obituary: John Travis Fawcett
John Travis Fawcett, age 86, of Hickory Valley, passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Born in 1939 to the late John Thomas (JT) Fawcett and Opal Davis Fawcett, he spent his entire life in the community he loved. He faithfully served in the National Guard and was a lifelong member of Hickory Valley Baptist Church.
For many years, he and his brothers operated Fawcett Lumber Company, the family business their father started. He took great pride in carrying on that legacy and serving neighbors across Hardeman County with honesty and a genuine friendliness. Many folks stopped by for building supplies — but plenty came just for the conversation and a bag of popcorn.
Travis enjoyed a simple, hands-on life — working with his cattle, driving tractors and any machinery he could get his hands on, and spending time at local auctions. He loved riding in the truck with his dogs (all generations of “Blue” or “Buddy”) to check on the farm. Along with his brothers and his son Jay, he loved building and improving the lake and ponds on the farm and enjoyed many sunsets on the water from the cabin porch. He was most proud of his family, especially his four grandchildren, who brought him his greatest joy.
Services will be at Shackelford Funeral Directors chapel on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 12 p.m. in Bolivar with the burial in the Bolivar Memorial Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara Jenkins Fawcett; his daughter, Denise Fawcett LaGrange; and his son, Jay Fawcett. He leaves behind his grandchildren, Christopher LaGrange, John Thomas LaGrange, Lauren LaGrange, and Grace LaGrange. He is also survived by his brothers, Mike Fawcett and Davis Fawcett, and preceded in death by his siblings Lavoy Fawcett and Charlotte Fawcett Matlock.
If you want to remember him in the best way, make a memorial to The Gideons International — or take your dog (or his) for a ride today. He would have loved that.
Courtesy of Shackelford Funeral Directors, Bolivar, Tennessee.
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