Teen killed in farming tractor accident ‘lived life to the fullest’

SUGAR CITY — A 13-year-old boy is being remembered by friends and family for his contagious laugh and having the “biggest smile.”

Travis Ashcraft was driving a tractor on private land across from the Teton-Newdale Cemetery on Saturday morning when he was involved in an accident. Travis was a freshman at Sugar-Salem High School and the third of four boys born to Nathan and Jamie Ashcraft.

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“He was pretty much a go-getter from the beginning,” Travis’s mom, Jamie Ashcraft, told EastIdahoNews.com. “He was a very determined boy. It didn’t matter what I said, he went and did what he needed to do. … He lived life to the fullest.”

Sugar City was home for Travis and from a young age, he loved to be involved in his community and school. For roughly four years, he ran a business called Farm Favorites Treats and Sweets. He and his brothers baked pies and sold them at the farmers market for about 10 weeks a year.

“He’s been a successful business owner,” Ashcraft recalled. “He was mostly in charge and drove his brothers to keep it going.”

Travis was on his high school’s cross country team and served on the student council as a class officer. He had a love for music — specifically his trombone — and was part of the pep band. He had recently auditioned and been accepted to be on the jazz band.

“He was so excited to do jazz band,” Ashcraft said.

Along with his list of school accomplishments, Travis was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and earned his Eagle Scout award before he turned 13.

“We know Travis touched everybody’s life that he encountered. There are so many people at the farmers market (that) he would joke and talk smack with them, and they loved him,” Ashcraft explained. “We feel, (like) everybody else, the hole in the community with his leaving, and appreciate everybody’s thoughts and love that they’re sending.”

A viewing will be held at the Flamm Funeral Home located at 61 North 1st East in Rexburg on Nov. 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Masks are highly encouraged.

Funeral services will take place at the LDS Sugar City Stake Center on Nov. 25 at 11 a.m. and Travis will be buried at the Sugar City cemetery. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the service will be broadcast on the Flamm Funeral Home website.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with funeral expenses and other costs associated with Travis’ unexpected passing. Click here to donate.