Millard O. Davis

Millard O. Davis, 96 of Fort Smith, passed away December 31, 2015. He was born on October 15, 1919, in Ravenden Springs, Ark., to parents Edgar Eugene and Leona (Allison) Davis. As a child, he loved hunting, fishing, and playing baseball, and his best friend was his younger brother, Truman. At the age of 10 Millard left school to go to work to support his family; by the age of 12 he worked away from home from Sunday evenings through Saturday mornings, earning room, board and a weekly salary of 40 cents, which he gave to his mother. At the age of 17 he enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corps where he was in charge of teaching the men to read, write, and how to do arithmetic, all with only a fifth grade education. He also assisted building a dam and an active camp ground at Gunner Pool, which is still used to this day. He enlisted in the Army in the summer of 1940. Millard was a veteran of World War 2, in the 39th Engineer Combat Regiment, which served as part of Lt. Col. William O. Darby's Rangers. He took part in the Gela, Salerno, and Anzio landings, and helped liberate Rome. He was honorably discharged from the Army as a first sergeant after the war, having earned several campaign medals, and at the age of 25 he married his childhood sweetheart, Wanda (Shepherd). Millard worked at Dixie Cup for 40 years, earning the nickname "Big Red" for the color of his hair and retiring as a popular and well-loved plant superintendent. He enjoyed retirement for many years after that, and celebrated 60 years of marriage with Wanda before her death in 2005. He was a member of Midland Heights United Methodist Church. Millard loved fishing, working with his hands, and spending time with his family. Although he traveled the world during his lifetime, he was happiest at home.

Millard is survived by his sister, Fannie Sue, of Alma; brother, Sherman Kenner, and his wife Ida Mae, of Rockford, Ill.; son, Dennis, and his wife Marcia, of Rogers; daughter, Becky (Finn); daughter, Pamela, and her husband Art Gramlich; grandchildren, Amy (Wilkins), of Little Rock, Julie (Finn), and her husband Matt Shoemaker, of Bloomington, Ind., Zachary, and Kaitlin; and three great-grandchildren, Rainey, Willow, and Sydney.

Millard was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda (Shepherd), his daughter, Vicki, his infant son, Larry, and his siblings Loretta, Uritia, Leda, Willard, Wanda, Truman, Geraldine, and Cleta.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at Fentress Mortuary Chapel with burial to follow at Forest Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Kenny Kaelin, Mike Locknar, Travis Martin, Rick Gramlich, Nick Gramlich and Waylon Horn.

Family will greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Charter Oak Cemetery Fund, c/o Iberia Bank, 205 West Rice Street, Pocahontas, AR 72455.