R. Theodore Ted Davis

R. Theodore ?Ted? Davis, of Wilmington, passed away at Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Lifecare Center on September 27, 2010, at the age of 96. Mr. Davis was born in Southport, NC on March, 19, 1914, son of the late Allen L. and Mary H. Davis. After graduating from Newport News, Virginia High School in 1933, he attended the University of Tennessee where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, R.O.T.C. and the National Society of Scabbard and Blade. He graduated in 1939 with a degree in electrical engineering and earned a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Reserve. He then returned to Newport News, and was employed by the Navy designing wiring systems for ships constructed in the Newport News shipyard. Called to active duty in 1940, Mr. Davis was assigned to the 320th Engineer Battalion of the 95th Division Corps of Engineers and served in General George Patton?s Third Army. He landed on Omaha Beach and participated in the Rhineland, Northern France and Central Europe Campaigns. He was assigned a jeep that they named ?The Major and The Miner? since he held the rank of Major and his driver was a coal miner. The 95th Division earned the title ?The Iron Men of Metz? for their assault on the concrete Nazi fortification located there. He was in Hannover when the Nazis surrendered, and was released from active duty in 1945. His military achievements included being awarded the Bronze Star for his actions during the crossing of the Saar River and seizure of Saarlautern, Germany. He returned to the Army Reserves and subsequently retired in 1974 with the rank of full Colonel. Mr. Davis was a registered Professional Engineer and he served as secretary-treasurer of Corbett Industries, Inc. and general manager of Corbett Lumber Company until his retirement. He was a member of numerous professional organizations, which included the board of directors of the Southern Forest Products Association. Mr. Davis was an active member of First Baptist Church, where he served on various committees, was a Sunday School teacher and Deacon, and was recognized as Deacon Emeritus. He also served as a member of Wilmington?s Zone Building Code Ordinance Committee. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Sudan Temple. He was also a member of the 21 Club, Wilmington Civitan Club, Cape Fear Country Club, Carolina Yacht Club, and The Cape Fear Club. He was also an avid left-handed golfer. Mr. Davis was preceded in death by his brothers, Allen Jr. and Gwynn, and his beloved wife of 58 years, Dorothy Corbett Davis. He is survived by his 3 children, Nancy Davis Knight of Jacksonville, Fla., Ted Jr. Jane and Michael Kitty of Wilmington; 7 grandchildren, Palmer Knight Jr. Tracy, Davis Knight Elizabeth, Jon Knight Brooke, Teddy Davis III fiancé Alyson Bush, Amy Davis, Corbett Davis Jessica, Catherine Davis Miller Nick; and 5 great-grandchildren, Ashlyn Knight, Austin Knight, Jonathan Knight, Grace Knight, and Claire Davis. The family will receive friends at Andrews Mortuary on Market Street from 5:30 p.m. ? 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 1. A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2 at First Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Giles Cemetery at Airlie Gardens. His grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family would like to express our sincere appreciation for the kindness and compassion shown by all those who participated in the care of our father. Memorials may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Lifecare Center, First Baptist Church, Airlie Gardens Foundation or the charity of one?s choice.