Travis Newman hails from the energy town of Colstrip, Montana. After graduating from high school, he relocated to Missoula, Montana, where he attended the University of Montana and began his career in the funeral industry. His interest in embalming led him to Kansas City, Missouri, where he completed his studies in mortuary science at Kansas City Kansas Community College in 2003.
Following his graduation, Travis returned to Billings, Montana, to commence his apprenticeship. He then worked as a mortician in Missoula for several years. In 2009, he joined Smith Funeral Chapels in Billings as an embalmer. During his six-year tenure, he earned a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Management and Public Relations from Montana State University-Billings and was promoted to General Manager of Smith Funeral Chapels' Laurel, Red Lodge, and Columbus locations.
In 2015, Travis returned to Missoula to continue his work in the funeral industry until the end of 2020, when he transitioned into the financial services sector. In the summer of 2021, he moved to the Dallas area to further his career.
Travis has accrued nearly 100 hours of specialized training in postmortem reconstructive surgery from The Fountain National Academy of Professional Embalming Skills. He has held every office within the Montana Funeral Directors Association and served on the National Funeral Directors Association Policy Board for three years. Additionally, he has led numerous embalming and postmortem reconstructive technical seminars for state associations.
In his leisure time, Travis officiates high school basketball and football games, umpires baseball, and cherishes time with his loyal Parson Jack Russell Terrier, Lil' Doc Holliday.