Robert N. Bob Davis, Jr.

Robert N. “Bob” Davis, Jr. December 14, 1917 – March 17, 2006 Robert N. “Bob” Davis, Jr., a long time resident of China Spring and Waco, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2006 and is now with our Great Lord, after living a long and rich life. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey with Pastor Norm Steinke officiating. Visitation will be from 6 – 8 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2006. A private interment will be held at a later date. Mr. Davis was born to Robert Neblett Davis, Sr. and Ruby Etta Whatley Davis on December 14, 1917 on the family’s farm near Dallas, Texas in Kaufman County. With the exception of the time he spent serving his country in the United States Marines in World War II, he lived the majority of his life in the Central Texas area. Mr. Davis entered the U.S. Marines 4th Divison in 1937 and was stationed in numerous areas of the Pacific during WWII. He was selected to Officer’s Training and was awarded two Bronze Stars for his meritorious service while serving as Communications Officer and Intelligence Officer on Iwo Jima. His unceasing devotion to duty, initiative and fearless leadership were in keeping with the highest tradition of the United States Marine Corps. Colonel Davis remained in the Marine Reserves until his retirement in 1959. He continued to serve in the federal government with the Federal Aviation Administration which took him to several places in the state of Texas. He retired after 45 years of service to the United States government as Assistant Chief of the FAA. After retiring, he took a position at Texas State Technical College working in the control tower for an additional ten years. He was united in holy matrimony to Helen Marie Knocke on July 10, 1946 in Dallas, Texas. They would have been married for 60 years in July. After marrying, the newlyweds moved to El Paso, where they were blessed with their first son, Robert Neblett Davis III. To this union, two other children were born – Stan W. Davis of Houston and Mary D. Schumann of Woodway. Mr. Davis was active in numerous civic leadership positions. He was a lifelong member of the Lutheran church. Foremost, he loved and was devoted to his faith and loved the Lord and the church. He was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Waco. After retirement, he enjoyed a passion for pecans and his pecan orchard. He was a member of the McLennan Horticultural Association for several years and took pride in winning numerous awards for his pecans. He was a longtime member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 4180 serving as Commander, along with several other positions. He was a member of the Coodies Post 6008 and enjoyed his service with them. He was a longtime member of the China Spring Lions Club. He also had a passion for golf and was a member of the Senior Golf Association in Waco, until his health declined. Because of his love for his fellow veterans, he served as a volunteer at the Waco VA for many years and enjoyed helping others there as long as he could. He spoke with the highest regards of the Waco VA – the nurses, the doctors and all the other staff affiliated with the Waco VA. Sincere thanks goes out to all the staff and volunteers of the Waco Veterans Hospital and especially Building 10 for their kindness and genuine professionalism shown to him and his family during the many years he was associated with them. Special thanks to Dr. Pat Pryor, who was Bob’s longtime physician, Dr. Jack Weinblatt, and Vista Hospice Care of Temple. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Robert Neblett III; his four siblings, Charles W. Davis, Virgie Davis Matthews, Wiley E. Davis, Sr. and Roberta Davis and a grandson, Nathen Robert Davis, who died at birth in 2000. He is survived by his wife, Helen M. Davis; son, Stan W. Davis and wife, Jimmie of Houston; daughter, Mary D. Schumann and husband, Jim of Woodway; granddaughter, Sunnee Davis Lange Schumann and numerous nephews and one niece Lissa Davis of Denver, Colorado. Honorary pallbearers will be nephews Dr. James Robert Matthews, Charles W. Davis, Dr. Richard D. Davis, Wiley E. Davis, Jr., and John Knocke. Mr. Davis will be missed by his family. His daughter, Mary and he were “two peas in a pod” and she will always hold a special place in her heart for him being a kind and wonderful father. The family has requested in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Waco, TX or to the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.