Alfred Gary Davis, son of the late Alfred James “A.J.” and Catherine Idell Metheny Davis, was born January 15, 1939 in Deventer, Missouri and departed this life on May 24, 2023 at St. Francis Medical Center.
He grew up on the family farm just a few miles outside of town and graduated from East Prairie High School in 1956. On November 29,1958, at the First Church of God in East Prairie, he married Barbara Joan Fennema Davis, who survives of the home. They had 64 wonderful years of marriage.
Over the years, Gary was involved with youth sports, the Nutrition Center, the East Prairie Museum, City Park Board, Boy Scouts, and the First Church of God. Starting with youth sports when his own children were young, he coached various levels of baseball teams. Not only did he serve as the coach of the teams, he was often found preparing the ball fields by dragging and lining them. He organized game schedules, umpires and referees, and even the concession stand. In 1978, he coached the 13-year-old Mississippi County All-Stars to a District Championship and to second place in the state play-offs. Even after his own children were grown, he continued to support the community sports teams as a member of the City Park Board. Establishing the budget and ordering materials were just part of his job. He organized sign-ups for various sports, watched over and helped to maintain the fields and equipment, and, generally, kept the parks running. There were times when he managed the fish in the pond and kept an eye on the visiting ducks and their eggs. Sometimes, he treated his wife, Barbara, to an ice cream and drove with her by the parks to just “check on things”. He was always a great supporter of the school teams and cheered the local kids on at football, basketball, and baseball games. They may not have realized it, but he was as proud of them as he could be and often worried and bragged on them as if they were his own. When his sons and nephews were in the Cub and Boy Scouts, he served as a troop leader. During those years, the troops attended a week-long camp and travelled to Washington, D.C.
Since retiring from a long career as a truck driver and owner-operator of Davis Express, LLC, he served on the Nutrition Center Board and worked with the town museum. He opened the museum to visitors and made sure it was in good condition. This allowed him to share his knowledge of our area and gave him the opportunity to learn even more about our local history from the visitors. He was also an active member of The First Church of God. His involvement included helping to build and remodel The Family Life Center, rolling Easter Eggs, serving church and funeral dinners and being an usher. He even acted in the church plays. Volunteering as one of Santa’s helpers by portraying Santa for several years for families, schools, organizations, and his church was another activity that he enjoyed. His love for children and bringing them joy was evident in how his eyes sparkled when he was their Santa.
Gary and Barbara have five children, Cyndi (Kevin)Maynard of East Prairie, Gary (Faydreia) Davis of Steele, Missouri, Pamela (David) Gilliland of Thayer, Missouri, Gregg (Liz) Davis of Louisville, Kentucky, and Darrin (Lynn) Davis of East Prairie. He is also survived by a granddaughter, Nikki Lichtenegger, and a special niece and nephew, Debbie (Willy) Wood, Jan (Melinda) Schramm, and Jon Schramm, that he helped to raise. They are also the proud grandparents of 20, great-grandparents of 20, and great-great-grandparents of 1. His only sister, Susie Hutcheson of East Prairie, also survives him.
PawPaw was always one of his grandchildren's biggest cheerleaders. He spent countless hours supporting them in all of their activities including flying to Arizona to see his youngest grandson play ball (and he hated flying)! When his travels became more limited, PawPaw loved to watch the photos of his family, mainly those of the great-grandchildren, sent to his Nixplay. He would always let us know what he loved about the new ones that were sent. As many of you may know, he had a talent for joke telling that would make you a bit cautious awaiting the ending, but always made you laugh; he could sing and dance the most special song for toddlers and small children, and he cooked the best french fries (no one can match them). His Big Breakfast for Christmas morning was simple but holds the most special memories for all of his family. What truly made him extra special was that he had the most precious heart for all those around him and his sense of humor was only out-shined by his smile and wonderful laugh and his love for his family and community. His final act of kindness to others was to donate to the Mid-America Transplant System of St. Louis.
Visitation will be held Friday June 2, 2023, at the First Church of God in East Prairie from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday June 3, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Church of God with Pastor Dawn Walters officiating. Interment will follow at Dogwood Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the First Church of God of East Prairie.
Mathis Funeral Home assisting with arrangements.
