Travis Coates

Travis Coates is the protagonist of "Old Yeller". In fact, it is he who narrates the book by Fred Gibson. Being 14 years old, he is the older of two sons of Jim and Katie Oates (whose names are shown in the film), the younger being Arliss. While his father is out in Kansas for the summer, Travis must act as the man of the house and take care of his mother and brother. In the meantime, he warms up to Old Yeller later than Arliss, who in fact, loves him from the start.

Travis returns in the sequel of both the book its film adaptation, "Savage Sam", as an older man, again as the protagonist.

Travis is played by Tommy Kirk in both films.