Marty Joe DAVIS

DAVIS, KAISER, CLARK, LOHSE, HUEDEPOHL, DIERSEN, ROSS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/27/2007 at 09:52:43

BELMOND -Marty Davis, age 17, a resident of Belmond, a senior at Belmond-Klemme High School, died Wednesday (Oct. 24, 2007) at the Belmond Medical Center as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident east of Belmond. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at Belmond United Methodist Church, 1031 First St. S.E., Belmond. The Rev. Michael Druhl and the Rev. Dick Kaiser will be officiating. Burial will be in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, rural Belmond. Visitation will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond, and continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Sunday. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Marty's name may direct them to the family at 3133 130th St., Belmond, IA 50421.

Marty Joe Davis, the son of Joyce (Kaiser) and Jerry Davis, was born Nov. 29, 1989, in Peoria, Ill. In his early years of life he courageously defeated numerous health challenges. Marty's perseverance in the face of adversity as a young child carried him throughout the rest of his life. A recent autobiography Marty wrote will attest to this fact. He noted in these writings that his philosophy of life was "life is what you make of it!" he reiterated this statement by continuing, "It is not always fair and can be a real challenge, but you can do anything if you set your mind to it!"

Marty attended Belmond-Klemme Community Schools for most of his education and was looking forward to early graduation in December. Following high school graduation he was anxiously looking forward to the future. He planned to attend Wyotech College in Laramie, Wyo., and major in diesel mechanics. Marty was an absolute racing nut. He was an avid fan of Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Jr. His love of cars and mechanical work was a huge part of his life. As a hobby, he enjoyed working side by side with his stepdad, J.R. Clark, in his shop and at area race tracks. He supported his stepdad as his No. 1 fan, assistant mechanic and pit-crew. Marty was known by many car drivers and race fans throughout the region. His passion for cars and motors also played a part in his future plans, as well as in his recent years of employment. He was employed by Munson Trucking in Britt, and shadowed and worked along side Verlyn Keeling, Keeling Auto in Belmond. Marty had also been employed for a time at the Pizza Ranch Restaurant in Belmond. Marty loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman, to say the least. He welcomed each and every opportunity to drown a line, whether fishing at Uncle Don's cabin near Ottertail/Long Lake, Minn., with Aunt Carol and Aunt Mary Ann, or a fishing excursion with his "Papa Joe," his grandpa, Joe Kaiser, or any other occasion that would include a chance to go fishing. Many winters were also spent fulfilling his passion for fishing as he and his step dad, J.R., would spend hours on the ice at Lake Cornelia and Clear Lake. A definite memory that will be carried on by his stepdad. Marty's other favorite past times included playing rummy, cribbage and other card games with his family. He loved to play Xbox and, of course, some of his favorite games were racing and fishing. Marty enjoyed a wide variety of music and television and movies, including Blue Collar TV, Larry the Cable Guy, Harry Potter and Half-Baked were among his favorites. Marty looked forward to shopping trips to Wal-Mart and Fleet Farm and then concluding the trip with a stop at McDonald's. He enjoyed the simple things of life, such as spending time eating and improving the skills and techniques used to make "Grandma's homemade buns." He enjoyed times spent with friends and recently took up a new hobby of learning to be an elite skateboarder.

In the early years of his schooling, Marty had participated in athletics. He was a member of the FFA in Belmond and had served in various roles. He had been on a trip with the local FFA chapter to the National Convention in Kentucky and met Richard Childress, owner of Richard Childress Racing. Marty truly was looking forward to a future filled with family, friends and adventures. He and J.R. were preparing to build a Hornet Series race car for Marty to run. He couldn't wait to explore the opportunities and journeys ahead, be it working with his hands, exploring a new fishing hole, going for a cruise on his go-cart, hanging out in the pit at the races, spending time with his mom and J.R, being with his friends, or just playing with his shitzu and buddy, Cherokee. His presence will leave a void in the hearts of countless family and friends and his mischievous smile will be remembered fondly. He will be dearly missed by his friend, Ashley Poulson of Algona.

Those left to mourn his passing include his mother, Joyce Davis, and stepfather, J.R. Clark "Little Man Construction" Belmond, his father, Jerry Davis, Slayton, Minn.; Grandpa Joe Kaiser, Belmond; Grandma Sharon and Grandpa Norm Clark of Hurley, Wis.; aunts and uncles Donald and Patricia Kaiser, Mankato, Minn., Mary and Larry Lohse, Belmond, Dick and Beth Kaiser, Des Moines; many step uncles and step aunts; his cousins, JoAnn Huedepohl, Heidi Kaiser, Heather Diersen, Joshua Kaiser and Jonathan Kaiser; his buddy, Cherokee; and many other extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Mona Kaiser; paternal grandparents, George and Dorothy Ross; aunt, Carol Kaiser; stepgrandmother, Betty Davis; and dog, Peanut. Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond.

Mason City Globe Gazette
10/25/2007

Marty Joe Davis, a senior at Belmond-Klemme High School, died Wednesday morning about 7:45 a.m. on his way to school. Davis, 17, was driving west on county blacktop C-20 about two miles east of Belmond when his car hit the rear of a school bus which had stopped to pick up children, according to the Wright County Sheriff. Davis was taken to the Belmond Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. No children on the bus were injured, and the warning flashers on the bus were working.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m Sunday, October, 28 at the Belmond United Methodist Church with Rev. Dick Kaiser and Rev. Michael Druhl officiating. Burial will be in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, rural Belmond. Vistation will be from 4-7 p.m. Saturday at Andrews Funeral Home in Belmond and continue one hour prior to the services at church Sunday.

Belmond Independent
October 24, 2007