Gary Davis

Gary Eugene Davis was born in Des Moines, IA to Cecil and Dorothy Davis, on July 22, 1939. Gary died on December 31, 2018 at Methodist Hospital with his loving wife, Jill, at his side.

Gary and Jill were married on Nov 17, 1990 and each was blessed with ready-made children from both Sides. Gary was drawn to children and them to him and he was always overjoyed when the grandchildren and great grandchildren started arriving. Gary was a phone guy. He couldn't go to bed without talking to one or the other and called his brothers and sister every day.

Gary was an avid racing fan and his greatest pleasure was watching his brother and nephews race IMCA modified cars. He went to every race he could, most recently having his nieces and friend take him directly from the Boone track to the hospital. He also loved to watch Gary Jr. play fast-pitch and made sure he had on his team hat. Gary was also an excellent musician, playing the steel guitar and upright base with so many musician friends that he and his friend started an Old Timers Reunion one year and it continues on. He has written many songs that were pretty good and wrote one called Dirty Boogie, which he was rarely permitted to sing because it was, in fact, censored by his sister, Darlene. He had a fascination for old classic cars and happened upon a 1939 Buick that came off the assembly line in July of 1939, the month and year he was born. He had to have it and restored it from its original condition into a beautiful car. He and his wife, Jill, enjoyed taking it to car shows around the Midwest and had many good times.

Gary retired from Owen-Christ, was a semi driver for many years and partnered in a used car business for a time. He was also very proud of being hired as a driver for the Bridges of Madison County and Twister. He earned the nickname of "Lazy" from Clint Eastwood because he took little snoozes when waiting for his next assignment.

Gary's main focus was always family and friends and he had many of both.

Gary is predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Richard Davis and Bill Davis and his daughter, Julie.

Left to cherish precious memories are his wife, Jill; his children: Lorrie Jordison, Barbara (Bobbie) Matters, Angie Davidson, Rodney Shiffer, Gary Davis, Jr. (Tiffany) and his step-daughter, Teresa Hutchinson: his sister, Darlene Johnson (Eldon): grandchildren: Chad Heimbaugh (Charla), Kelly Carlson (Mark), Tiffany Jordison (Wesley Wilson), Brandy St. John, Christina St. John, Jessicka Deszo, Amanda Davidson, Alicia Wing, Brandon Van Gundy, Shelby Van Gundy, Paige Shiffer, Danielle Masten (Trevor), Jo Rettler (Ken) and Brianna Hutchinson (Blake Curry); many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, January 6, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family or charity of the donor’s choice.

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