Donald M. Davis (Mansfield)'s Obituary
Donald M. “Hap” Davis, son of Bob and Oma Newton Davis, was born October 27, 1922 on the family farm known as “The Rock House” located between Mansfield and Cedar Gap. He departed this life Saturday, May 1, 2010, at Rocky Ridge Manor at the age of eighty-seven years. He acquired his name of “Happy” as a baby because he was always laughing. After he was older, the nickname was shortened to “Hap”.
Hap attended Oak Ridge school through the eighth grade and graduated from Mansfield High School in 1943. He served in the United States Navy during World War II in the Philippines with the See-Bees and spent a lot of his time on k.p. duty peeling potatoes.
Hap was united in marriage to Leah Mae Gaskill on January 14, 1945. To this union one daughter, Kathy Sue, was born.
After his discharge, he attended GI training to be an electrician and went to work for Honeycutt-Hyberger Electric. For many years he continued working as an electrician in the Mansfield area and also raised beef cattle and hogs. Hap served on the A.S.C.S.C. Board of the United States Department of Agriculture for 15 years. He was an avid sportsman who interpreted the hunting and fishing laws to his liking whether it be hiding quail over his limit in the hub caps of his truck or shooting a few more wild animals than what he had tags for. His family and friends will miss his constant practical jokes and promise to carry on the tradition in his memory.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Claude “Peck.”
Hap is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Leah, of the home; one daughter, Kathy Short and husband Randy of Mansfield; two grandchildren, Barry Short of Mansfield and Courtney Allen and husband Matt of Springfield; sister, Ila Sue Jones and husband James of Mansfield and brother Iveal “Chub” Davis of Seymour; four nieces and one nephew; great-nieces and great-nephews; and many extended relatives and friends. The family would like to give a special thanks to the compassionate friends at Rocky Ridge Manor who have cared for him for the last nine years.
Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday May 3, 2010 at the Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Mansfield.Burial is in the Number Five Cemetery. Visitation is Sunday afternoon 4-6:00 p.m. under the direction of the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Mansfield, Missouri.
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