Earl Paul Davis

Earl was born December 20, 1936, in Clay Center, Indiana, the firstborn son of Paul Alvin Davis and Helen Magdalena Fisher Davis.

When he was very young, the family moved to Wynona Lake, Indiana, for his father to attend seminary.

The family then moved to Portis, Kansas, where Earl began his elementary education. He had many memories from this time period about his parents’ involvement in the war effort and the ending of WWII.

From there the Lord moved the family to Leon, Iowa, where he and his brother John attended school. In 1947 the family moved to Missouri and Earl continued his education at Phoenix, a one room country school. As a "mature" 5th grade boy he did not notice a mere 2nd grade girl named Wilma. After graduating from the 8th grade Earl transferred to Cainsville and although they only lived one mile apart, Wilma went to Ridgeway. Earl graduated high school in 1954, and the next year attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, where he was active in ROTC and remained a member of the Army reserve until about 1975. While in Columbia he helped one of the professors build a thoroughly modern home. It was there that Earl learned many things about building, which proved to be quite beneficial. At 19 years of age, he built his parents' home, where they spent the rest of their lives.

About that time, he began to notice the neighbor, Wilma, and they began to date. On his 21st birthday, in December of 1957, Earl and Wilma were married at Centropolis Baptist Church; they became active members and served many years in many capacities. They were married for 67 years and one month.

In 1960 Earl began working for Western Electric in Lee's Summit, Missouri, as an apprentice tool and dye maker; the company became known as AT&T and finally as Lucent Tech, where Earl worked for 36 years as a Tool and Dye Maker. When Earl was 26, he built their home on Phelps Road in Independence. When the company closed its doors, Earl took his well-earned retirement money and he and Wilma enjoyed many trips around the US. Then at 70 years of age he built the home where Wilma now lives, on Bellevista Dr. in Independence.

Earl always had time for church and serving the Lord in many ways including helping to build a church sanctuary. They always enjoyed traveling and a special time each year was taking the family to Horn Creek Lodge, in the Sangre De Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains. They did this for many years, and Earl and Wilma and their children developed many precious friendships with God's people from all over the US. They loved taking the grandchildren on trips each summer and had many good times in Branson and Silver Dollar City. Earl really liked to watch Wilma ride the big coasters with the grandchildren.

Earl was preceded in death by one infant son, Robert, and both his parents.

Left to mourn Earl are Wilma; two daughters, Karen (Anthony) Ziegler and Mari (Adrian) Davis-Moses; one son, Brian (Melaney Beierley) Davis; two grandchildren Timothy (Hayley) Ziegler and Aislinn (Thomas) Gonnot; two great grandchildren, Jensen and Logan Ziegler; three brothers John (Patricia), David, and James (Janecce) and many friends and relatives who will miss him greatly. He was a good man who lived his life well.

Celebration of life will be held at CrossWay Bible Church, 701 NW Woods Chapel Road in Blue Springs, Sunday February 2nd at 3:00; family will greet at 2:00.

Interment is at Woodlawn Cemetery in Independence, MO.