May 15, 2008

Charles (Gene) Davis, 83 years old, passed to heaven on May 10, 2008 in his home with his family at his side. Gene was born Dec. 3, 1924, in Ava, Mo., to Elmer and Rosa (Brown) Davis. He grew up in Ava and graduated from Ava High School. He then served his country in World War II in the 12th Division, Army Engineers, serving one year in Germany and then with the occupation forces in Japan. As a businessman in Ava for more than 40 years, Gene operated the Davis Brothers Tire Shop and dearly loved his cattle buying and selling. Gene was an avid sportsman, traveling to western states hunting elk, deer, pheasants, and loved hunting quail at home. He was a Christian and a member of the Nazarene Church for 55 years in Ava and Nixa. Gene and Hazel Myers were united in marriage by the Rev. James Russell in Mansfield, Mo., on Dec. 30, 1943, enjoying 64-plus years of marriage. To this union one daughter, Connie, and a son, Lyle Wayne, were born. Lyle preceded him in death. Gene is survived by his wife, Hazel, of Nixa, Mo.; his daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Chris Carver, of Monett, Mo., two granddaughters, Christy Leilani Carver, of Lawrence, Kan., and Carissa Kell and husband, Ryan, of Eudora, Kan.; and a daughter-in-law, Anita Davis Shirkey, of Springfield. Along with his son, Lyle, preceding in death, Gene was preceded by his parents, two sisters, Christine Irby and Fern Wood, three brothers, Cecil, Ernest, and Herman Davis. Funeral services for Gene were at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with burial in the Ava Cemetery. Visitation was Tuesday from 6 till 7 p.m. in the funeral home. Officiating were Pastor Gary Swearengin, Pastor Oren Alcorn and the Rev. Chris Carver. Memorials may be made to the Gideons International or to Seasons Hospice, 1831 W. Melville, Springfield, MO 65803. On line condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome. com.