Jean McVey Davis, 89, finished his earthly journey on March 16, 2018. A Memorial Service will be held 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 22, 2018, at McLaren’s Chapel, 801-19th St., West Des Moines, IA with burial at Resthaven Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. Thursday until service time at the funeral home.
Jean was born July 25, 1928, in Persia, IA and spent most of his younger years in Harrison County in the rolling hills of western Iowa. Jean's mother, Florence, moved him and his sister, Joan to Des Moines when he was in junior high. Jean graduated from North High School in 1946 and served in the United States Marines from 1946 to1948. Following his enlistment Jean did a few odd jobs and then began studies at AIB business school.
In 1952, Jean began working as a bookkeeper for the Orville Lowe car dealership that included a year in Clear Lake and Mason City. He then began his long association with the Hummel Brothers car dealership, through the Studebaker years, the Plymouth years and finally the Datsun/Nissan years, retiring in 1993 after 36 years as office manager and generally cranky guy who also liked to smile! Following retirement Jean worked for the Southeast Polk School District for several years.
While at North High School Jean, and friend Mac Baty, sat in the back row of band "attempting" to play trumpet. Mac's sister, Lois, had a fancy for Jean. They were married May 5, 1950 in Des Moines in a thunderstorm and candlelight, as the power had gone out!
Jean was active at Glen Echo Christian Church, and later St. Mary’s of Nazareth Catholic Church. Jean’s other job was to be the back up to wife, Lois’s vacation and entertaining escapades. Speaking of these vacations, consider this man who worked 50 weeks a year and then spent two weeks in a Plymouth station wagon with four screaming kids, bad sunburn, and mom shooting home movies out of a moving car. He didn’t say much….
Jean was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Florence; brother, John; sisters, Joan and Jane; and loving aunt, Janie Kemish. He is survived by his wife, Lois Davis of Des Moines; children, Scott Davis of Des Moines, Shawn (Sue) Davis of Charles City, Brad (Deb) Davis and Sue (Kathy) Davis of Des Moines; grandchildren, Alec Davis and Evan (Megan) Davis of Des Moines, Drew Davis of Minneapolis, MN, Keegan (Melina) Davis of Charles City, Rachel (Scott) Arnold of Plano, TX, Ammon and Aaron Davis of Des Moines; great granddaughter, Alexa; and several nieces and nephews.
If you would like to make a memorial contribution please consider Hoover High School Band Booster’s or the Community Jazz Center (CJC) of Des Moines.
We’d like to give a special thank you to the wonderful caretakers at Carlisle Care Center. Thank you so much for your care and love.
