1927
2013
George Davis (85) left this life to join his Lord and Savior on April 11, 2013 doing what he loved - gardening. He was born in Canton, Ohio in August 1927. George led an active life, playing sports at Lincoln High School, serving in the Army during WWII, and later moving to Arizona in 1959 to start a floor-covering business. Once established in Phoenix, George became a faithful member of Palmcroft Baptist Church. In the late 1960's, George changed direction and began working for the U.S. Postal Service where he quickly moved into procuring real estate for future post offices around the Southwest. After retiring from the U.S.P.S. in 1988, he deepened his involvement with the Republican Party, and went to the 2000 Republican Convention as an Arizona delegate. George remained active to the end. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Martha Jean. He also leaves behind 2 daughters and their spouses: Cheryl and H. Lynn Hitson, and Georgia and Robert Bohm all of Phoenix; four grandchildren and their spouses: Matt McEachron, Nate & Cindy Hitson, Faith and Marc Burmich; and 4 great-grandchildren: Gracie & Annika Burmich, and Abby and Josh Hitson. He remains forever dear in our hearts. A celebration of his life will be held at Palmcroft Baptist Church, 15825 N. 35th Ave. in Phoenix on Thursday, April 25th at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Palmcroft Baptist Church or The Gideon's International.
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4 Entries
May 6, 2013
Nate Hitson
Grandpa Davis
I was thinking about my grandpa and I always saw him as very secure, rooted, and organized; a man of little risk. This is not the reality of who my grandpa really was. After some thought, I came up with a life-long trail of risks that paid great benefits to everyone around him.
Grandpa married an amazing woman who became a life-long partner in all of their adventures. Next were children! I am very grateful for the investment Grandpa made and the risks he took on when he became a father to my wonderful mother and aunt.
Grandpa moved next into the world of business. He took on the very risky task of starting a business in the middle of the desert about 1700 miles from his home in Ohio! To pack up and move a family of 4 across the country in the 1950s was quite an undertaking and a bit risky!
With all of life's uncertainties, I am certain of this: my grandpa's life was full of risk, adventure, and great investing in everyone he was around. Grandpa was a part of the “Greatest Generation” and he truly lived up to the title!
To a man who was wise, risky, and adventurous, I want to say thank you for a life well lived. I will miss the great insight into the political world that you were so good at following and so involved in. I will miss your enthusiasm for sports and competition, your vast knowledge of history and your wise advice in finance.
I look forward to the day I meet Jesus and have the privilege of seeing my grandpa in eternity. To those who know Christ and have become a follower of Jesus, we have the assurance of seeing George Davis for all eternity. For now I just say: Well done my good and faithful Grandpa.
May 6, 2013
CJ Hitson
Remembering George Davis
Eulogy: Read by Ralph Miller
Life Celebration – Thursday, April 25, 2013
• George Derr Davis was born the only child of William Roy and Gertrude Davis on August 6, 1927 in Canton, Ohio.
• George led an active life, playing sports at Lincoln High School in Canton, and spending time with his many friends.
• Patriotic even as an 18 year old young man, he joined the Army after graduation and was stationed in Virginia during WWII. He served as Master Sergeant of I & E providing information and education to the troops.
• Even though offered the chance to go into officer's training, George chose not to in order to marry the love of his life, a beautiful young woman from Paris………Paris, Ohio. He and Martha Jean Downs were married on September 28, 1946 and would have celebrated their 67th anniversary this year.
• They lived in Canton where they welcomed 2 daughters, Cheryl and Georgia in.
• The family moved to Erie Pennsylvania for 3 years where George continued working in the floor covering business.
• With his entrepreneurial spirit, George & his family moved to Arizona in 1959 to start his own floor-covering business.
• Once established in Phoenix, George became a faithful member of Palmcroft Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, and in many other areas. Some nicknamed him “Amen George” as he enthusiastically responded to the sermons.
• In the late 1960's, George changed direction and began working for the U.S. Postal Service where he quickly moved into procuring real estate for future post offices around the Southwest.
• After retiring from the post office in 1988, he deepened his involvement with the Republican Party and volunteered in many areas. A highlight of his political involvement was going to the 2000 Republican Convention as an Arizona delegate.
• He worked for the Arizona State Mining Commission, and was a Maricopa County Constable. He also served on the state Citizen's Transportation Oversight Committte.
• He obtained a real estate license in 1989 although he never used it.
• George also participated for a time in the Toastmasters, and served on the Sun City Homeowners' Association.
• A lifelong learner and historian, he was writing a book on history. He even taught for a while at Rio Salado.
• Throughout his life, George & Martha remained active: bowling, golfing, playing games with their care group, and travelling. He & Martha visited all 50 states, and many countries with their dear friends. A very special time for his daughters was their trip with dad to Spain in 2003 as a reward for their studying Spanish in high school. He also travelled to Bolivia with Cheryl to visit his grandson Nate in 2007, and to Turkey with Georgia in 2009.
• On April 11, 2013, George suddenly left this life at 85 years of age to join his Lord and Savior doing what he loved – gardening in his backyard.
• He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Martha Jean; 2 daughters and their spouses: Cheryl & Lynn Hitson, Georgia and Robert Bohm; 3 grandchildren and their spouses: Matt McEachron, Nate & Cindy Hitson, Faith & Marc Burmich; and 4 great-grandchildren: Gracie & Annika Burmich, and Abby & Josh Hitson. He will be deeply missed by the family
• The family would like to thank all of you for the many kind thoughts and prayers, and for your attendance today to celebrate George: a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and so many other things.
May 6, 2013
Cheryl Hitson
Remembering George Davis
Eulogy: Read by Ralph Miller
Life Celebration – Thursday, April 25, 2013
• George Derr Davis was born the only child of William Roy and Gertrude Davis on August 6, 1927 in Canton, Ohio.
• George led an active life, playing football at Lincoln High School in Canton, and spending time with his many friends.
• Patriotic even as an 18 year old young man, he joined the Army after graduation and was stationed in Virginia during WWII. He served as Master Sergeant of I & E providing information and education to the troops.
• Even though offered the chance to go into officer's training, George chose not to in order to marry the love of his life, a beautiful young woman from Paris………Paris, Ohio. He and Martha Jean Downs were married on September 28, 1946 and would have celebrated their 67th anniversary this year.
• They lived in Canton where they welcomed 2 daughters, Cheryl and Georgia in.
• The family moved to Erie Pennsylvania for 3 years where George continued working in the floor covering business.
• With his entrepreneurial spirit, George & his family moved to Arizona in 1959 to start his own floor-covering business.
• Once established in Phoenix, George became a faithful member of Palmcroft Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, and in many other areas. Some nicknamed him “Amen George” as he enthusiastically responded to the sermons.
• In the late 1960's, George changed direction and began working for the U.S. Postal Service where he quickly moved into procuring real estate for future post offices around the Southwest.
• After retiring from the post office in 1988, he deepened his involvement with the Republican Party and volunteered in many areas. A highlight of his political involvement was going to the 2000 Republican Convention as an Arizona delegate.
• He worked for the Arizona State Mining Commission, and was a Maricopa County Constable. He also served on the state Citizen's Transportation Oversight Committte.
• He obtained a real estate license in 1989 although he never used it.
• George also participated for a time in the Toastmasters, and served on the Sun City Homeowners' Association.
• A lifelong learner and historian, he was writing a book on history. He even taught for a while at Rio Salado.
• Throughout his life, George & Martha remained active: bowling, golfing, playing games with their care group, and travelling. He & Martha visited all 50 states, and many countries with their dear friends. A very special time for his daughters was their trip with dad to Spain in 2003 as a reward for their studying Spanish in high school. He also travelled to Bolivia with Cheryl to visit his grandson Nate in 2007, and to Turkey with Georgia in 2009.
• On April 11, 2013, George suddenly left this life at 85 years of age to join his Lord and Savior doing what he loved – gardening in his backyard.
• He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Martha Jean; 2 daughters and their spouses: Cheryl & Lynn Hitson, Georgia and Robert Bohm; 3 grandchildren and their spouses: Matt McEachron, Nate & Cindy Hitson, Faith & Marc Burmich; and 4 great-grandchildren: Gracie & Annika Burmich, and Abby & Josh Hitson. He will be deeply missed by the family
• The family would like to thank all of you for the many kind thoughts and prayers, and for your attendance today to celebrate George: a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and so many other things.
April 29, 2013
Georgia Bohm
(From daughter Georgia at memorial service)
As hard as it is for me to speak here today – I want to stand up and honor my Dad, a courtly gentleman
who lived 31,295 days, or approximately 751,075 hours on this Earth. He would have liked that reference – he enjoyed math and distilling things numerically.
Everyone has different memories of Dad. But for me, he was a man of many parts:
?>>> a passionate historian who always had a history book handy or a historical perspective to share in the classes that he taught or in the book that he was writing.
?>>> a traveler who delighted in seeing the places that he'd studied and in walking historical sites -- tracing the layers of time fascinated him. From our simple Sunday drives when Cheryl and I were children to his making good in 2003 on a 35-year-old promise to take Cheryl and me to Spain, and later fulfilling his dream of seeing Constantinople, Olympia, and the Temple of Delphi, I felt privileged to ride along with him.
?>>> a diplomat who tried to ensure that all views were presented and respected, and who avoided topics that might lead to heated or offensive discourse.
?>>> a chocoholic, who joked that no dessert could properly be called a dessert unless it had chocolate in it.
?>>> a pragmatist driven by a sense of duty and characterized by a disciplined style. Those who have seen Dad's garden have a sense of this.
?>>> and most important, he was a loving family man who worshiped Mother and adored his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He always sought ways to help us and give us opportunities for fun while at the same time striving to provide a strong base for our lives and to set a good example of a hard-working, honorable individual.
For all of his outward formality, Dad had surprising pockets of sweetness and I don't know what I'll do now without his telephone calls, visits, lunches, and discussions. I felt that he helped bring out the best in me.
Throughout our lives, Dad encouraged us and expressed his pride in us. He had impossibly high standards for himself, but he never imposed them on others. He never stopped trying to be the best or do the best at everything he faced. I never knew a man who tried harder. I love him and I miss him, my Baba, our Papacito.
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