Carlos "Pete" Leroy Davis, Jr.

On September 23, 2024, Carlos Leroy Davis, Jr, better known as Pete, went home to Heaven.  Just shy of his 95th birthday, Pete was a loving husband to wife Carolyn for 68 years as well as a devoted father to children Emma and Kevin. 

Born in Beautancus, NC, to Carlos Davis, Sr., and Mary Elizabeth Davis (Pete and Bettie Davis), he spent his early years helping his father at their country store, playing sports at school, and was class president at his high school.  Planning on pre-med, he went to Mars Hill College, where he graduated with a two-year degree and then transferred to NC State University.  His life took a dramatic turn when the Korean War started, and he left college to serve in the Coast Guard where he was able to focus on medical service, spending time on a dental truck along the East Coast, a year at a LORAN station in Greenland, and another year in the Philippines.  It was through a Coast Guard friend that he met his future wife, and the two spent many years moving from base to base, including Miami, Atlanta, Hawaii, and Baltimore.  Along the way they made dear friends with whom they were able to keep in touch throughout Pete’s life. 

In the early 1970s, Pete retired from the Coast Guard as Senior Chief Petty Officer after a 20-year career.  The family moved to Wilmington, NC, where he joined the New Hanover County Health Department, spending the next 21 years inspecting restaurants, assisting new food vendors with opening businesses, making sure fair and festival booths were safe for customers, and inspecting ships at the port.  He was able to complete his Bachelor's Degree, graduating from UNCW.    

In addition to caring for his family and pets, Pete enjoyed genealogy research, traveling, entertaining visitors, keeping in touch with old friends, home and car maintenance, and attending church.  He also liked to share a funny story or interesting tale from his Coast Guard career and learned much from the Dale Carnegie How to Win Friends course. 

Pete is survived by his wife Carolyn, daughter Emma Davis, daughter-in-law Christine Davis, brothers-in-law Asa Spain and Mart Spain, nephew David Spain, and niece Jennifer Adams.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Kevin Davis, and many beloved family members. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Baptists On Mission, 205 Convention Dr., Cary, NC 27512 in memory of Carlos (Pete) Davis. (baptistsonmission.org)

A Visitation will be held for family and friends at 10:00 am, October 5th, at Masonboro Baptist Church followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 am.  Interment services will be held in Mount Olive, NC, at a date to be determined.