John W. Davis was born on May 16, 1925 in Cement, Oklahoma to John and Annie (Cox) Davis. He passed away Nov. 4, 2017 in Quinter, Kansas at the age of 92 years.
Johnny graduated from Trego Community High School, WaKeeney in May of 1943. In July of 1943, he entered active duty in the Army. He served as an MP in Ft. Ripley, Minnesota. His job was security guard on troop trains to protect young men from predators wanting to fleece or rob them. He was then transferred to Ft. Polk, Louisiana where he became the Company Clerk. He did so well he was transferred to a camp near Chicago. There he helped men that were illiterate by reading letters from home and writing their replies. He also helped set up informal schools to teach them basic skills. He was transferred to Ft. Belvoir, Virginia prior to the end of the war. He recalled that when the war ended people dropped what they were doing and just walked around celebrating. John was Mason for 50+ years and a past member of the Quinter American Legion.
In January 1953 he met Mary Ann Wagner of WaKeeney and seizing the moment married her that June of ’53. They have been married 64 years.
John was employed with Hendricks Furniture and Funeral Home. He managed the furniture side of the business with particular responsibilities for floor covering. This led to him opening his own business, Davis Floor Covering. He and Mary Ann ran this business with much success until retirement.
During Johnny’s retirement he developed an interest in woodworking. His projects started small and got bigger and better as each of his daughters would put in a “special request”. Johnny was very humble and didn’t like to brag, but he was very proud of his work. He enjoyed showing the girls and grandkids his latest project. Each Christmas Johnny would have a special gift he made for all the daughters and an even bigger and better project for Mary Ann. All of his woodworking is treasured by his family.
Johnny and Mary Ann also enjoyed traveling with tour groups and visiting their daughters and grandchildren.
He is survived by five daughters, Karol and husband Bryce Skelton of Topeka, KS, Peggy Davis of Quinter, KS, Donna Davis of Quinter, Kay and husband Randy King of Scott City, KS, Terry and husband Todd Maddux of Wichita, KS; grandchildren, Jeremy and Tori Bowers, Myriah and Justin Clark, Harrison King, Courtney Maddux, Trace Maddux and Karsyn Maddux; great-grandchildren, Alisyn Bowers, Jack Bowers, Keiran Clark and Rory Clark. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, and two sisters.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 11, 2017 at Quinter United Methodist Church. Burial will take place in the Baker Township Cemetery, Quinter.
Visitation will be one hour prior to service time at the church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the United Methodist Church or Quinter Volunteer Ambulance. Contributions made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.