Help Travis Scruggs' Family in Crisis

Update #4> at this time any monies donated will be going into a Trust Fund for Travis's young son, Phoenix.

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Update #3> We wish to thank everyone who has donated, texted, called, emailed, reached out to us personally, sent cards, called, and visited during this very trying time. We aren’t okay as the loss of a loved one is always traumatic and gut wrenching. We are taking it one day at a time and always remembering Travis with stories, activities, food, and fellowship.

We ask that you continue to keep his wife and children, parents, siblings, friends, co-workers, and all that knew and loved him in your thoughts and prayers.

Much love and thanks from Travis’s family.

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Update #2> Travis’s obituary

Travis Herman Scruggs, age 33, passed away peacefully at Northside Hospital Gwinnett on January 26, 2025. Born on December 30, 1991, in Atlanta, Georgia, Travis was a spirited soul who brought light and love to all who knew him.

A skilled Journeyman Electrician with Inglett & Stubbs, Travis took pride in his craft. His hands were not only expert in the complex dance of wires and currents but also in the art of drawing, the thrill of mechanic work, and the joy of cooking. With a particular fondness for Volkswagens, Travis could often be found tinkering under the hood, a testament to his mechanical acumen and zest for life's intricate details.

Travis's philosophy was best encapsulated by his favorite saying, “When words fail, music speaks.” His passion for music was contagious, and he was indeed a foodie who loved to share his culinary adventures over the grill. Remembered for his loving nature, Travis was undeniably strong, brave, very driven, and yes, occasionally stubborn. Above all, his greatest devotion lay with his family and especially his boys, the center of his universe.

Travis's legacy resides in the hearts of those who cherished his vivacious essence, the echo of his laughter, and the memories of his unyielding love. He will be profoundly missed, yet his spirit continues to inspire us to live fully and love deeply.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 2:00pm

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the family for his son's education.

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Update #1> When we started this GoFundMe it was to help make sure the bills were paid for 2 months - until such time that Travis could be released from the hospital, heal, and get back to work. What we thought would be a long journey of healing for Travis turned into our worst nightmare and we lost our amazing son, brother, husband, father, and friend to many on Sunday, 26 January 2025.

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This GoFundMe has been started out of a necessity that no one ever expected to have to think about, but we are choosing to face it head-on with hope and resilience. Our son, Travis Scruggs, was recently hospitalized for the flu and walking pneumonia, and in a devastating turn of events, his illness has transitioned into him being placed in a medically induced coma and hooked up to a myriad of medical devices that are currently sustaining his life.

Travis is 33 years old and a father of two. He is an electrician by trade and has been for over 8 years, and his skills and expertise have always been a source of pride for him. He loves cars and working on them in his spare time. There isn't much that he can't fix.

His wife, Mindy, works for Heart & Vascular Care as a receptionist at the front desk. Dekota, Travis’s stepson, is 18 years old and works for the City of Cumming Water Department; he also enjoys working on cars. Travis and Mindy have a 9-year-old son together, who suffers from seizures and is on the autism spectrum, and despite the challenges he faces, he is a bright and curious child who brings joy and love into the lives of all those around him. Phoenix loves building Legos, painting, and reading, and his creativity and imagination are a constant source of inspiration.

Travis is the breadwinner of his family, paying all of the monthly bills, as well as their insurance, and his absence has left a significant void. At this time, we are uncertain about how bills are going to be met, including the monthly premium for his insurance.

Travis is bravely fighting for his life, and we're grateful for the incredible team of medical professionals at Northside - Gwinnett who are working tirelessly to support him. He's currently on an ECMO - Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation life-support therapy machine, which is essentially acting as his lungs until they can heal from what's believed to be Flu A with pneumonia or a similar infection. After being intubated, he's now breathing with the help of a temporary tracheotomy, and while he's still on oxygen, the medical team is working to stabilize his oxygen levels and reduce his CO2 levels. Travis is sedated and in a medically induced coma, but we're heartened to see that he's responding well to nutrients through his new feeding tube. His condition is critical but stable, and we're told that he'll likely be on the ECMO machine for at least two weeks, but possibly longer.

We're taking things one day at a time, trusting in the expertise of his medical team, and celebrating small victories along the way. We're deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support, and we appreciate your continued prayers and encouragement. If you feel moved to donate, we're thankful for your kindness. Thank you for being part of Travis's journey and for helping us stay strong during this challenging time.

~ Charles Scruggs (Dad) and Jill Lamb Engstrom (Mom)