THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE-Travis White enjoys a moment at the beach-his favorite place-with his girlfriend, Colette Dux. A native of Laguna Niguel, White had called Simi home for eight years. Almost one year after saving a life, Travis White lost his own.

White, 28, was killed April 25 when the black Dodge Ram pickup truck he was driving went off the 118 Freeway and struck the cement pole that supports the Sycamore Canyon offramp. The accident, for which no cause has been determined, took place less than a mile from his home in Simi Valley.

A native of Laguna Niguel, Calif., White lived in Simi Valley for the past eight years. He suffered major trauma in the accident and died shortly afterwards at Simi Valley Hospital.

Eleven months ago, White was driving that same black truck past Moorpark Country Club when he saw someone on the golf course trying to flag him down. He pulled over and discovered that 19-year-old Moorpark resident Ashley Smith was trapped beneath an overturned beverage cart and needed help.

Ignoring the severe back pain that had plagued him for most of his adult life, White used brute strength to lift the nearly 800pound cart off Smith's neck and shoulders just enough for another man to pull her out from under it. If not for their quick response, Smith could have died of asphyxiation.

White and four others received commendations from the Moorpark City Council for helping to save Smith.

Greg Burns of Encinitas, who graduated with White from Dana Hills High School in 1995, said his heroic action represented perfectly the character of his besfriend. "It fit him to a tee, how he juspulled right over, ran right over there, and used all his might to save this young girl's life," Burns said. "Travis was so full of courage and compassion."

An avid surfer and scuba diver who also stayed fit by kickboxing, White was in top shape at the time of his death. "He was one guy we althought was invincible," Burns said.

According to Stephanie Morgan, White's older sister, her brother died at "the happiest moment of his life." "He met the love of his lifeHe was getting ready to move in with her. He was at the peak of his job. He was living for every moment," Morgan said.

Already the favorite of many of his younger relatives, White was looking forward to settling down with his girlfriend, Colette Dux, of Newbury Park and having a family of his own.

"All Travis wanted was to have a family, and he would have been the best dad," Burns said"My 16-month-old son just loved him. He called him Uncle Travis when he came over. They were stuck together like glue."

White had the same close relationship with his nieces and nephews.

"He loved kids and they loved him. Anybody's kids, it didn't matter," Morgan said. "At all the family events, there would be Travis in the center of 10 kids. He just had a gift with children."

Morgan's oldest son, Matthew Travis, 9, was named after his uncle.

"Travis was somebody I had no problem with my son looking up to or following in his footsteps," said Morgan, who also has twin baby girls. "He was human. He made mistakes. But even those were done to perfection.

"He just had this way about him. He made you feel complete," she added. "And I'll never forget his smile."

White worked for New Millennium Homes in Calabasas at the time of his death. Morgan said her brother loved living in Simi Valley.

"He loved the people in Simi Valley, and he loved the quietness," she said. "He always thought it was peaceful, plus it

was near the beach and the mountains. Travis absolutely loved the outdoors."

White is survived by his parents, Gerald White and Jeanne Foley, and his stepparents, Debbie White and Rick Foley. He is survived by three siblings in addition to Morgan: Jennifer Cuff, 33, Trevor White, 20, and Taylor White, 18.

Condolences to the family can be mailed to Stephanie Morgan, 118 Avenida San Fernando, San Clemente CA 92672.