David “Wayne” Davis, 73, of Ocala, FL, passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at home under the care of Marion County Hospice.
Wayne was born on Sept. 17, 1941 in Nashville, Tennessee. He was the son of David Lyre Davis and Martha Dean (Parham) Davis. Wayne is survived by one sister, Marleen Guthrie, of Tennessee.
He graduated from Howard High School in Nashville. Following high school, Wayne enlisted in the US Marine Corps where he earned the rank of Corporal and later served in the Reserves. Following his service to his country, he went to the pipefitters technical school for five years and became a pipefitter in the Tennessee area. On September 1, 1960, Wayne met Martha Jean Cates and they were married on June 16, 1961. Wayne began his career as a steamfitter-welder and also taught technical school for welding throughout the 1960’s.
Wayne and Jean were blessed with a son, David Wayne (Inger) Davis, Jr.; and a daughter, Christy Lynn (Michael) Kruklinski. Together they have six grandchildren: Emily (2ndLT Robert Coggins), Alex, Paige, Casey, Honor, and Chase.
Wayne retired in 2000 from a career with Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Steamfitter’s Local # 572. He was a hard worker and incredibly successful throughout his career. Wayne was a supervisor, manager, mentor and friend to many. He provided a beautiful life for his family lakeside on Old Hickory Lake in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee for 25 years. Wayne enjoyed fishing, water skiing and being near the water.
Upon retirement, Wayne and Jean moved to Florida and joined a golf and country club. He was a lifelong athlete, playing baseball, football and became an avid golfer with several awards and about 5 hole-in-ones. Wayne could be found everyday on the golf course during his retirement years. His passions in life included his love for his wife, children, grandchildren, his golf and his golf buddies. Wayne never met a stranger and always left the person with a smile on their face.
A private “Celebration of Life” ceremony will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 7th at his daughter’s home with the Marine Corps League Det #54 performing the military honors. The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, the loving care from Hospice of Marion County and the professionalism of Veterans Funeral Care.
Wayne Davis was known as a loving husband, a devoted father and the BEST “Grandy” in the world! The family suggests memorial donations be made to any organization that supports American veterans and their families.
Wayne has left such an indelible mark on Van and I. His spirit and his attitude on life was so amazing. Praising God for bringing him into our lives!!
Christy…
I will never forget, just weeks ago, your dad’s eyes crystal clear and sparkling as he told me all about Nashville – where to go, buildings he worked on, great memories he had there. Can’t wait to go there! I’m so glad we got to know your sweet amazing dad Davis Wayne Davis. Wishing strength, peace and comfort to the entire family – love you all.
Christy, I’m so sorry to hear if your dads passing. I love my dad with the same intensity and can only imagine your sorrow. I will say a prayer for you and your family. Love, Tara Weiss
Christy,
I am so sorry about your daddy’s passing. My prayers are with you and all of your family.❤️
My deepest condolences. Though I only met him once, I immediately had a tremendous amount of respect for him. I am honored to have had an opportunity to listen to him and share with him. He was an amazing man and his legacy will live on.
Jean, Christy, Michael, Emily, Alex and all,
Our deepest sympathies for Wayne’s passing. May all of the incredible Love you share bring comfort in the days ahead. Wayne’s love for life and smile & has always been inspiring.
Love you all. Praying for you. xoxo Bob and Sheri
To Jean Davis and her Family,
We want to give our condolence and to let you know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. His life is now changed, not taken away. God bless you.
I miss you Dad and I love you so much. I will keep whispering to you and as always seek your advice and guidance until we meet again someday. In the meantime, I will try to measure up to the person I believed to be the strongest Man I ever had the pleasure of knowing.
I was never fortunate enough to meet David in person, but witnessed firsthand the love, guidance and humor which he imparted on his son David Jr, who never laughed harder than when talking with his father.
My sincere condolences to the entire Davis family for your great loss, and thank you for sharing a bit of David’s tremendously positive life with all of us.
Dave,
I will raise a toast to Wayne’s memory and to his service. May the celebration of his life be a remembrance of the wonderful legacy he leaves behind, his Family.
Semper Fidelis Marine!
My sincere condolences to you. About your father.
Dave…
Any words I say will fall short of expressing my deepest sorrow for your loss brother.
Semper Fi
A wonderful, wonderful gentleman! Wayne will be sorely missed. Our love and heartfelt condolences to you Jean, Christy, and all the family. Charlyn
My sincere condolences to your family, I know how much you love him. I’m so sorry…
Few people come into your life that you immediately connect with, Wayne was that guy. We will cherish all the times we spent together. Our laughter on the golf course ranked higher then our scores. We will miss you my friend.
Joan and Rich
What I remember about Wayne was his smile and greeting”Hey Girl, how are you?” He was always so welcoming even though he was ill. He was a real southern gentleman. His legacy is his wonderful loving family. Jean you and the family have always been in my prayers and will continue to be.
Marleen Billings
How I cherished these last 8 months with you! I wish I could hear your sweet voice just one more time but I know you’re here with me now. Thank you for making me so strong Dad and thank you for loving me the way you did. I will forever be your precious little girl.
Jean…
Sincere condolences sent with love to you and your family. Praying that God will shower you
all with his rich blessings of love, comfort and peace.
Davey D, I hope you and your family are doing well. You have the same face as your father. Semper Fi.
We will miss you forever. The last 8 months were challenging and rewarding. Your strength, humor, and personality were and are an example for all that saw you during that time. Thanks for being such great role model!
Loved him since he was a baby, have not been close in years but he was always one of my favorite people, such great personality and fun
Jean and family,
We know Wayne to be one extraordinary man. He loved life so much. He never feared passing. His personal strength, incredible sense of honor and character were known to all who knew him. His deep faith in God and love for his family were evident throughout his life and in everything he did. It was an honor to have been able to spend some time with Wayne Davis. You were a good friend and mentor. We know his “famous smile” is bigger and broader than ever today. We salute you sir. May the grace of God stand along side of Jean and David and Christy.
The sweetest Grandy there ever was. Thank you for always being a light in our lives. You were and will always be my hero. I know you will continue to watch over us. We love you so much and I miss you everyday. – Emily
When I think of Wayne “Grandy ” Davis, instantly I see a big grin that lit up his whole face and “Hey Girl! How you!?!” With a chuckle and BIG hug. You were always guaranteed a story that brought giggles; and part of what made him so cute was his laugh and the way he entertained the ones around him. He was precious.
As (Christy) my best friend’s father….I’ve seen him right beside his little girl as she took on the world, the big moments and small, the challenges and triumphs…she always had the love, support, and security that her daddy had her back. Priceless. And as his journey through life began to come to a close….his little girl was there….loving him without end, carrying out his wishes, and making sure he knew “his baby girl had his back” until his last breath.
Blessed they both are to have loved each other so deeply and have the incredible bond that a daddy and his little girl share….that can’t be explained…only felt.
RIP Dear Grandy. You will be missed but forever in the hearts of those whose lives were blessed to have been touched by you!
Prayers and hugs for all of you….Nana. Christy, David and all of their families. ❤️
Love you all…
Rondda
Christy and family. I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you. He was a fine man. I always thought so much of him and your Mom. Please let your Mom know I am thinking of her too. God Bless you.
I’ve only known Wayne about 5 years, but he has certainly left a lifetime impression
with me. He was such a happy, caring person….you couldn’t help but like him. The love
he had for his family was beautiful. He was such a proud Marine, too! His standards
were the highest. He was taken too soon, for sure…but will be remembered always by everyone who knew him. I can still see him standing on Christy’s dock, looking back with that big smile of his! Hugs and prayers to his entire family, Love, Jerry
Jean and Family,
Wayne was a bright spot in our community and our lives. He will be missed!
Jean & Family,
I know you miss him a lot. He’s in heaven smiling down on everyone one of you. When you get sad, remember all the fun, wondrous times you had with him.
Blessings,
Patti Kern
May I say; Cpl. “Wayne” Davis, Thank You for your dedicated service to our Country and Corps. I hope your friends recognize your contribution to this nation. Best wishes and continued success to the family of Cpl. Wayne Davis.
Gene Overstreet
Sergeant Major
of the
Marine Corps (Ret)
Long lived the Corps and success to the Marines. Semper Fi.
MAY YOU REST PEACEFUL IN THE HANDS OF OUR LORD. NO MORE PAIN AND NO MORE SORROW..UNTIL THAT DAY YOU MEET ME IN HEAVEN., I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU. MY LIFE, MY LOVE, MY ALL. A GREAT LIFE WE SHARED WITH CHILDREN, GRAND CHILDREN AND FRIENDS. A LOVING MAN, A TRUE MARINE, A GREAT GOLFER, A GREAT FATHER, AND GRANDY, BUT MOST OF ALL MY FRIEND IN LIFE. FOREVER MY LOVE, JEANIE