Donald Davis' Obituary
Donald Clay Davis, youngest son of Robert J. and Annie Vinsand Davis, was born November 22, 1928 at Orla, Missouri. He departed this life September 19, 2009 at his home in Lebanon, Missouri at the age of 80 years, 9 months and 27 days. Don was united in marriage to Pauline Joyce Skinner on October 19, 1951 in Mountain Home, Arkansas. To this union three children were born. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Joseph Calvin Davis. After he was married, Don was quickly called to serve his country in the United States Army as a construction engineer. He was instrumental in building several airfields in the European Theatre. Upon returning home from the war, Donald and Pauline moved to De Soto, Kansas where they began his civilian career and they raised their family. He worked at Sunflower Ammunition Plant for several years and in 1956 became a chemist at the CO-OP (Farmland) Plant in Lawrence, Kansas. In 1979 he became an electrician at the same plant until his retirement in 1991. His career at Farmland spanned 35 years of faithful service. Don was always active in every community where he lived. In De Soto he helped build the first lighted baseball field and was a charter member of the Jaycees. He also served several years on the De Soto Park Board as well as coaching Little League for eleven years. He was always active and loved spending time with his family. Fishing, gardening and softball were a big part of Don’s life. During his military days he pitched a number of championship games and was nicknamed “Ironman Davis.” He continued pitching for the De Soto Men’s softball team for many years until his retirement at the age of 55. In 1993 Don was diagnosed with the first of several cancers. He and Pauline moved back to the Lebanon area in 1994 to be near extended family. He is survived by his wife Pauline, of the home; two sons, Philip Davis and wife, Sherry, Kearney, Missouri, and Michael Davis, Denver, Colorado; one daughter, Donna Haney, and her husband, Scott, Lincoln, Nebraska; five grandchildren, Crystal Marquette, Will Davis, Leah Davis, Wes Haney and Evalyn Johnson; also three great-grandchildren, Kyla, Charis and Alexander; as well as several other extended family and friends. Services will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday September 23, 2009 at the Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Mt. Rose Memorial Park. Visitation is Tuesday evening 7-8:30pm at the funeral home under the direction of the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. A memorial has been established to the American Heart Association. Donations may be made through the funeral home. Return to top
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