Gary D. Davis

Gary D. Davis passed away peacefully on August 14, 2025 after a year of fighting prostate cancer. Born on August 11, 1949 in Clarksburg, West Virginia to Robert Davis and Gladys (Lawson) Davis both deceased. He was a proud and supportive older brother of Jeanette (Larry) Adkins of Panama City FL, father to Michael (Robin) Davis of Madison OH, Marc (Dana) Davis of Mentor OH and grandfather to Ashlee, Patrick, and Sidney Davis. Gary married his high school sweetheart, Linda (Tims) Davis in March of 1967 and celebrated 57 years of marriage prior to his death.

During his teens, Gary was active in sports playing football for Lumberport High School but the draw of music took him along with his close friends to start a band. They played at local bars, dances, and functions around his hometown area. Gary became a musician able to play saxophone, key boards, lead guitar, bass guitar, trumpet, drums, and harmonica. He continued his love of music throughout his life even playing at a company function. He moved to Painesville OH shortly after graduation to start a career with Lubrizol Corporation as a chemical plant materials operator then as a foreman. During his early years in Painesville, he worked as many as three jobs to support his family which at one point included being a part time Police Officer for Painesville City. After 30 plus years of working at Lubrizol Corporation, Gary retired but the draw of law enforcement pulled him into a late life career of working for the Lake County Sheriff’s office where he was assigned mostly to court officer and warrant pick up. Again he retired from his second career and at this point the traveler became his focus; he started with tow campers but ended with large class A “John Madden special” diesel pusher that was home away from home from him and Linda for months at a time down south visiting his sister in Florida. The last few years, the physical challenges associated with the camper life style, left him at home surrounded by family.

His father, Robert Davis, and Gary enjoyed the motorcycle freedoms and took a few trips together during the 1970s and 1980s. This love of motorcycles was passed on to his sons Michael and Marc as he bought them their first mini bike when they were still in elementary school; that love continues on as both still ride motorcycles together on long trips across the country. Gary finished high school then had to work to support his family but education was important to him and Linda as she had a college degree. Both of his sons attended college, Michael began his career in banking but ended up in law enforcement as did Marc end up in a career in law enforcement as Gary had been so proud to be a part of that career. One story that I remember vividly from when I was in middle school; we had a set of 1957 encyclopedias that I used for book reports. I asked my mother why we had such an old set and she replied that Gary had read all of them because he did not want to be unable to speak intelligently to his sons. We still have those books. Gary expressed that his biggest regret that he didn’t have enough time with his boys when they were growing up due to him having to work to provide what we needed. I will state that he was always there when it counted, that he made time when asked, and provided all that was needed. Gary requested to be cremated along with no services. May he rest in peace and know that he was loved by many. Online obituary and guestbook at www.behmfuneral.com