Richard Davis

Richard Warren Davis, age 86, of Mansfield passed peacefully November 22, 2011 at Med Central Hospital attended by Hospice after a brief illness. He was born on October 21, 1925 in Milwaukee, WI, the youngest son of the late Edwin B. and Olga Rose (Perathaner) Davis.

Richard moved with his family to Mansfield in 1935. He raced in the first Mansfield Soap Box Derby in 1937, attended all Mansfield City schools and graduated with Senior High class of 1947. Richard enlisted into the U.S. Navy, serving his country during WWII as Diesel Machinist Mate 2/C on Amphibious Landing Crafts and Mine Locating Crafts throughout Europe. After honorable discharge from the Navy, Richard moved to Southern California in 1953 to embark on a career in the Aviation field working for Mc Donnell Douglas on the MD-80 project. In 1986 he moved back to Mansfield, working as the Mid-West Materials Procurement Specialist for McDonnell Douglas until retiring in 1989.

Richard was a member of North Central Ohio S.C.O.R.E. (Service Corps of Retired Executives - Counselors to America’s Small Business), Gold Wing Road Riders Association (Member # 1466). He loved traveling, riding his Gold Wing motorcycle and attending GWRRA Chapters B and V meetings and outings, music (especially his Fav – ole’ blue eyes, Frank Sinatra), restoring his 1961 Pontiac Catalina convertible, being barefoot, shirtless and tan, inventing, fixing anything broken, woodworking, tinkering, playing board and card games.

Including his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Ed and Eleanor (Bolesky) Davis of Mansfield and Ft. Myers, FL; son, Dwain B. Davis of Vancouver, WA; brother-in-law, James Kennedy of Mansfield and Lakeland, FL; and nephew, Tim Kennedy of Canton.

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 26 years, Gayle Davis of Mansfield; daughter Traycee Davis of Mansfield; son Jeffrey (Sheila) Davis of Lexington; stepsons Yancey (Alyce) Yake of Carlsbad, CA and Kirk Yake of San Diego, CA; four grandchildren, Baylee Davis of Lexington, Joel (Christine) Davis of Portland, OR; Robert Rowe of USMC Camp Lejeune, NC; and Eric Yake of Carlsbad, CA; sister Virginia Kennedy of Lakeland, FL; nieces Cheryl (John) Haschak of Massillon, Susan Davis and Pamela Davis of Santa Cruz, CA, Lindi (Don) Rabal of Mansfield; nephew Rev. David (Nancy) Kennedy of Midlothian, VA.

Family and friends may gather for a time of remembrance on Thursday, December 8, 2011 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Diamond St. Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 9, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. at the Linden Road Presbyterian Church at 160 S. Linden Road, Mansfield. Memorial contributions may be made to MedCentral Hospice or Kingwood Center.