Travis Fullwood, longtime Arizona pastor, dies

Travis Fullwood

By Irene A. Harkleroad

Travis Fullwood faithfully served God in many ways for 40 years. He was pastor, Bible teacher, VA chaplain, and mediator for conflict resolution in church settings.

He was born January 9, 1948, to James Samuel Fullwood and Rubymae Huston Fullwood and died on Nov. 14.

“Travis served as an Arizona Southern Baptist pastor for over 30 years in Tucson and Sun City,” said David Johnson, executive director of the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention. “He will be remembered as a pastor who loved people and was instrumental in getting pastors together for encouragement and fellowship. He will be missed by his church, his family and Arizona Southern Baptists!”

Fullwood graduated from Dallas Baptist College in 1974 and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1979. He was ordained in 1978.

He was pastor of First Baptist Church of Farmington, Ark., for eight years; Central Baptist Church in Tucson for 27 years; and associate pastor of First Baptist Church of Sun City for the last five years and nine months.

Fullwood was blessed with the gift of teaching and served as an adjunct college professor for 17 years, teaching Bible and religion for three universities, including Wayland Baptist University. He taught verse-by-verse Bible classes every Wednesday at First Baptist Church of Sun City and faithfully participated in weekly men’s Bible study.

“We have lost a pastor, a teacher, a leader and a mentor,” said Kenny Long, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Sun City. “I have lost a trusted associate and a good friend.”

“He was a precious husband, father, and friend to everyone,” said his wife, Janice. “He loved working with children and especially enjoyed both children’s and adult VBS. He was a shepherd to his people and known for his out-of-the-box thinking.”

He is survived by Janice, his wife of 50 years; daughter Ashley Hughes and her husband, Keala; and two well-loved grandchildren, KJ and Samantha. He was preceded in death by his parents and baby daughter, Shawna Marie.

A memorial service was held Dec. 1 at First Baptist Church of Sun City.