Travis Lee Heermann

Travis Heermann was an author, freelance writer, award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker, publisher, and editor. He was also a loving husband and stepfather, who married his wife Chanel Heermann May 29, 2015 and they enjoyed many adventures together. He is survived by his wife and step children Kaylen Helgason, Nykki Seybert, Joshua Seybert; his parents Dorothy and Jerry Heermann; his siblings Cody Heermann, Casey Heermann, and Rachel Brewer; and was predeceased by his first wife, Cheryl Heermann. 

Travis had a Master’s Degree in English from the University of Nebraska Omaha, a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nebraska Lincoln, and was an Odyssey Writing Workshops graduate.  He has worked as an instructor at the University of Nebraska Omaha English Department, facilitator for Lighthouse Writer’s Workshop, and English Teacher in Fukuoka, Japan through the JET Program. 

During his prolific creative life, Travis wrote 30 books; many were under his own imprint, Bear Paw Publishing.  These include 9 novels and a novella, plus 3 young-adult novels and 9 middle-grade books under his nom de plume T. James Logan. He also wrote 9 novels and non-fiction titles for his ghostwriting clients.  Based on his writing successes, he was accepted into both the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) and the Horror Writers Association (HWA).

Travis was an accomplished screenwriter and filmmaker. His screenplays have won numerous awards and have been performed on the stage. In 2021, he launched a film production company, Bear Paw Films. Its first project was a horror comedy short film called Demon for Hire, which won multiple awards including Best Director, Best First-Time Filmmaker, and Best Short.

In addition to writing, Travis also produced and appeared on several podcasts, and served on programming at many conventions. In 2022, he was chosen as Author Guest of Honor at Mile High Con 54. 

Travis always found time for fun. He was a helluva poker player, along with being an evocative poet and a lifelong biker.  He loved music of all kinds and was a multitalented artist including visual arts and playing guitar. Travis had a passion for travel—having lived in Japan and New Zealand, and traveled extensively.  

Travis enjoyed cycling, collecting martial arts styles and belts, torturing young minds with otherworldly ideas, and monsters of every flavor, especially those with a soft, creamy center.  

Travis’s Celebration of Life will be held at the Denver Zen Center, May 17, 2024 3:00 pm. 

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made in Travis’ name to: Odyssey Writing Workshops (https://www.odysseyworkshop.org/support-us/).  Please send checks to Odyssey, P.O. Box 75, Mont Vernon, NH  03057, or send via PayPal to jcavelos@odysseyworkshop.org. 

Please share your favorite Travis memory or general memoriam with Chanel for inclusion in a future memory book.  Please send to: doctorchanel@doctorchanel.com 

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