Oliver Reeves Davis

Reeves was born March 6, 1924 in Garfield, Georgia, to George R. and Grace J. (Gailbreath) Davis. He graduated from high school in 1940 and worked in Nashville, Tennessee, and Savannah, Georgia, until he was old enough to enlist in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Cadet in 1942. He earned his wings and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps on September 14, 1943. He earned his carrier qualification and served as a flight instructor during WWII. His career included tours of duty in China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam. Reeves was assigned to several night fighter squadrons; he is credited with the first confirmed nighttime kill of a MiG-15 in Korea. He retired after 30 years of active service with the rank of Colonel. Looking back on his career he wrote, “There were hard times, scary times, anxious times, and fun times, but most of all they were all Good Times… I was then and still am proud of my service to my country, and would do it again in a minute.” His decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and many other commendations.

During flight training at Naval Air Station-Dallas in 1943, he met Maribelle M. McLaurine. They married in 1944, raised three daughters, and remained happily married for 70 years until Maribelle’s death in 2014.

Reeves was a notable marksman and competed successfully in many skeet and trap competitions. He won a gold medal in the Pan American games of 1959 as a member of the U.S. team.

After retirement, Reeves and Maribelle moved back to the Dallas area. Reeves earned an MBA from the University of Texas-Dallas and pursued his hobbies: skeet and trap shooting; golf; and gardening. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons-in-law and grandson. He joined The Gardeners of America, eventually serving as President, and was a member of the Sunrise Rotary Club in Plano.

Survivors include daughters Diane (Mike) Cameron, Daphne (Daniel Wilson) Davis; Debra (Greg) Goeks; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A brief service will be held at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Grand Prairie on Thursday, February 19 at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Reeves’ name to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (www.mcsf.org).