Joseph W. Davis (1915-2000)

DAVIS

Posted By: Patrick Turner (email)
Date: 2/25/2003 at 10:30:16

Thursday, January 4, 2001

In Memory: Joseph W. Davis II

Joseph W. Davis II, 85, died Monday, January 1, 2001 at the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center.

He was born in Shelby county on June 24, 1915, the son of Joseph W. and Olga Frost Davis. When he was 12 years old, the family moved to Avoca. He graduated from high school in 1933 and from Iowa State University in 1937.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941 and was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii at the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He also served in the North African and European Theaters of Operation. He entered the army as an enlisted man and attended Officer Candidate School, completing his term of duty as a captain.

Joseph married Ruth Gallentine on September 25, 1942 in Petersburg, Virginia. They were the parents of two children: Joseph W. III anal Mary Ellen.

Joe and the Davis family were involved in the farming and banking business in the Avoca community for many years. Joe was a Paul Harris Fellow with the Rotary organization and attended many of the Rotary International Conventions held worldwide.

He was a former commander of Legion Post #227 and for 39 years served as its service officer.

During his lifetime, he served on many civic projects; helped establish the Avoca Day Care Center; and was active in the Republican Party, serving as Pottawattamie county Chairman and as a Precinct Chairman.

Joe was named the recipient of the 1985 Economic Development Award presented by the Avoca Business and Professional Association. In 1988, he was named the Grand Marshal for the Avoca Fourth of July Parade.

He was an elder in the United Church of Avoca, serving on the session several times, and as long as his health permitted he was an active member of the Avoca Rotary Club and the Fred Funston American Legion Post #227 of Avoca.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Mary Ellen Davis Carroll; and a brother, Wilson.

Survivors include his wife Ruth, of Avoca; his son Joseph W. Davis III of Omaha; two grandsons, James and John of Omaha; other relatives and many friends.

Visitation with the family was Tuesday evening at Knutson Funeral Home in Avoca. The funeral was to be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the United Church of Avoca with Orris Drake officiating.

Burial was to be in Graceland Cemetery with military graveside rites by Fred Funston Post #227.