LTC (Ret.) Vernon B. Davis

Vernon was born December 27, 1934 in Orlando, Florida to Robert Nicholas Davis and Ruby Mae Davis.

He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Ann Davis, daughter, Patricia Ann Boyd and granddaughter, Candace Leah Boyd.

He is survived by two sons, Gerald Wade Davis and his wife Katherine of Houston and Robert Vernon Davis of Temple; two daughters, Kathleen Lynn Belcher and her husband Joseph of Palmetto, GA and Peggye Ann Beeman of Copperas Cove; brother Phillip N. Davis of Sanford, FL; two sisters, Martha Jo Simkins and Jo Ann Starling both of Orlando, FL; eleven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Vernon was a loving husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend who enjoyed spending time with his family, loved the outdoors working on his place in the country.

In 1950 he joined the Florida National Guard. In 1963, he joined the United States Army. While serving he received the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver and two Bronze Service Stars, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Year Device Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Meritorious Unit Commendation with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class and the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon. On March 31, 1985 LTC Davis retired from the United States Army at Fort Hood, Texas. In 1985 he joined the Staff at Central Texas College where he served as Financial Analyst until he retired in 1991.

He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of New York in History.

He was a Lifetime Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8577 in Copperas Cove, Texas. He was a Past Master of Mt. Hiram Masonic Lodge #595 A.F. & A.M. in Copperas Cove, and an active member of Mt. Horeb Masonic Lodge # 137 A.F. & A.M., Council No. 41 and Chapter No. 57 all of Mahomet, TX. He was a 32nd Degree K.C.C.H. member of the Waco Scottish Rite Bodies in Waco, Texas, a member of the Cove Scottish Rite Club in Copperas Cove, a member of the Texas Lodge of Research in Austin, a member of Burnet Commandery # 113 in Burnet, Texas and the York Rite College in Waco, Texas.

The Davis family will receive guests for a time of visitation from 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2011 at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Copperas Cove. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23, 2011 at Grace United Methodist Church in Copperas Cove with Dr. Rev. Frank D. Somera, Jr. officiating assisted by Reverend Amy Forsythe. Interment will follow with both full military honors and Masonic services in the Smith Cemetery in Kempner.

Serving as pallbearers will be Christopher A. Boyd, Robert D. Davis, Daniel A. Swann, Gerald C. Davis, Seth Williams, Michael Herman and Ricky Solorio. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of Mt. Hiram Lodge #595 and Mt. Horeb Lodge #137.

For those that desire in place of usual remembrances the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the MT. Hiram Lodge, Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 82, Copperas Cove, Texas 76522 or to the MT. Horeb Lodge, Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 21, Copperas Cove, Texas 76522.

Services have been entrusted to the care of Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Copperas Cove.