Marvin Douglas Davis

Doug spent four years in the USAF 1950–1954 serving as a flight attendant for military personnel transport flights, VIP’s as well as the wounded flying all over the Pacific, Europe, North and South America during the Korean War. He was based at Hickam Field in Honolulu—where his first daughter was born. He and his family returned to Atlanta on his daughter’s first birthday. Another child joined his family in 1957. He became a flight test mechanic on helicopters and small fixed-wing aircraft that had been damaged either in battle or training. Many test pilots refused to fly those unless Doug had personally signed off on those aircraft. He worked many years at Atlanta Army Depot until it was decommissioned. He transferred to Dobbins AFB as a maintenance mechanic. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve 145th MEDEVAC Unit as a crew chief during that time.

Doug was an avid, lifetime outdoorsman and loved to fish and spend time in the mountains with family. After retiring, he enjoyed woodworking and made cabinets and steps, and flute/piccolo stands for his granddaughter and all her friends who wanted one.

His favorite role in life was that of Granddad. Born in 1979, his and Betty’s only grandchild became their primary source of entertainment. They visited state parks, camped, and anything else they could think of to do together.

Doug is preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sisters, his wife, Betty, and his youngest daughter Wanda. He is survived by his oldest daughter, Jean and her husband, Rosario G. Melilli, his granddaughter, Dr. Jeana Melilli and her wife Dr. Jessica Melilli-Hand of Greenville, South Carolina, and last but not least, his big, burly, cuddle-bug, bed-buddy, recliner-buddy, tv-watching cat of 20 months, “Poe.”

A graveside celebration of life will be held for Doug on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at noon at Fairview Memorial Gardens, 164 Fairview Road, Stockbridge, GA 30281.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to GOOD MEWS at goodmews.org. Good Mews is a cage-free, no-kill cat shelter in Doug’s honor.