Russell Conwell Davis Jr.

Russ graduated from Dunmore High School in Dunmore, Pa. He was a WW II Veteran, having enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1945 at the age of 17. He proudly served his country for 2 years. After completing his service he attended and graduated from Scranton Lackawanna College and went to work for the Scranton Lace Company. In February of 1952 he met the love of his life, Ruth, at a Youth for Christ Rally. They married June 6, 1953. In 1954 he joined IBM where he worked as an accountant in Poughkeepsie, NY, Owego, NY, and Research Triangle Park, NC. He retired from IBM in 1989.

Russ devoted his life to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone he met. Because of his deep love of the Word of God, he joined and was active in the Gideons for over 59 years. He distributed Bibles to men and women enlisting in the service, elementary school children and to college students on various college campuses in the Raleigh/Durham area. He participated in placing Bibles in hotels, motels, hospitals, and prisons throughout the United States and around the world. He was a long time member of Salem Baptist Church, Apex, NC. and he was a Sunday school teacher for most of his adult life.

Russ will always be remembered for his love of Duke University sports, particularly football and basketball. He flew his Duke flag and wore his Duke shirt proudly, especially whenever Duke played the UNC Tarheels. In his house it was strictly “ABC” Anybody But Carolina.

Russ is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruth Simonson, and four children Russell J. (Eileen), Charlotte; Audrey Scurfield (Tom), Charlotte; Jon, Apex; and Lori Johnson (Steve) Winston Salem; nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

A visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Salem Baptist Church with a funeral service to follow. A graveside service will be held following the funeral service at Salem Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Gideons International Raleigh Camp at PO Box 1512 Cary, NC 27512-1512