Paul Davis

October 27, 2017

Service Details

Paul Davis, the only son of Lester and Mary Davis, was born in Des Moines August 30, 1931. He died October 27, 2017, at Wesley Acres. Paul graduated from North High School and then, in 1953, earned an Engineering degree from Iowa State University. The following year, he married Jeannette Bierma and began serving two years in active duty in France followed by 28 years in the Army Reserves advancing to the rank of Colonel.

In 1956, Paul began his career at Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel and worked on bridges and water towers around the United States until the PDM Des Moines plant closed following the flood of 1993. While at PDM, he served on the board of directors of the Association for Production and Inventory Control (APICS), a national organization for supply side chain management.

Paul developed a lifelong love of trains while working for the Rock Island Railroad in the summers while he was in high school and college. After his retirement, he became an active member of the Iowa Passenger Rail Association and was very disappointed when the state passed on the opportunity for a passenger rail route through Des Moines. During his retirement, he was active in many projects including work on the Cara McGrane Stadium at Hoover High School, the Wells Fargo building on University Avenue in West Des Moines, and the Principal “Z” building at 8th and Park downtown. He also volunteered for many years at the Living History Farms Welcome Center, the High Trestle Trail, and at First Christian Church both helping at the farmer’s market and making sure the gardens around the church were always in top shape. Paul had season tickets to the Drake Bulldogs men’s basketball games for many years and enjoyed taking his grandchildren to the open practices.

At home, Paul loved to garden, dote on his five grandchildren, and work around the house. Retirement allowed Paul and Jeannette the time to travel the world, and they did, visiting China, Australia, much of Europe, many National Parks, and Alaska. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jeannette (Bierma), his children Carla Bahls (David), Minneapolis; Steve (Sara), Des Moines; and Michelle Matthews (Simon), Denbigh, Wales. Visitation is planned for Friday, November 24, at 1 pm followed by a memorial service at 2 pm in the First Christian Church narthex and sanctuary, 25th and University, Des Moines.

Rather than flowers, Paul would be honored with memorials to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Living History Farms, or the USO.

Print