“And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” Hebrews 6:15
Eugene “Gene” Davis, 89, went to his heavenly home on October 13, 2016 after a valiant battle with various long-term illnesses. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace.
Gene was born to Lonnie and Nora Davis, one of eight children. Gene lived in Elizabethton and retired from North American Rayon Plant. He surrendered his life to Christ in 1958 at Hunter First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and drove the church bus for many years.
Gene was a veteran of the 526th Infantry in the United States Army. He served in the Korean War and fought in the Infamous Battle of Pork Chop Hill, which endured 19 days in -40 degree temperatures in 1953. As a result of his heroic service in combat, Gene was disabled by frozen feet and legs, heart disease and post-traumatic stress disorder. Gene received the Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal for his courage and tenacity in combat before being honorably discharged from the Army on April 21, 1954.
Gene was the revered patriarch of a large, loving, and growing family. Gene is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Sara Jane Goodwin Davis; his son, Wayne (Donna) Davis; daughter-in-law, Patsy Stout; step-son, Larry (Dolly) Stout; his grandchildren, Kim (Rob) McCollum, Stephen (Denise) Stout, Jamie (Jennifer) Stout, Hollie (Scott) Arnold, and Brooke (Wilber) Meza; his great-grandchildren (“Sputniks”) Bailey, Patience, Madison, Cole, Asher, Breyden, Lillian and Noah; his brother, Glen (Bernice) Davis; sister-in-law, Peggy Davis; several nieces and nephews; and special friend, Hazen Street.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Merle Collins Davis; parents, Lonnie and Nora Davis; son-in-law, Ronnie Stout; brothers and sisters, Howard Davis, Cecil Shelton, Katherine Dotson, Lona Grubb, Virginia Brooks and Lillian Clippard.
A service to honor the life of Eugene “Gene” Davis will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 15, at Hunter First Baptist Church of Elizabethton with Dr. Dennis Deese, Rev. Wayne Davis and Rev. Ron Owens officiating. Music will be provided by Patty Hodge and Dale Williams. The family will receive friends at the church from noon until 2 p.m. Saturday, prior to the service. The committal and entombment will follow at Happy Valley Memorial Park, Mausoleum of Peace, with Rev. Roy Wilson and Rev. Kinley Knight officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Active pallbearers will be Larry Stout, Stephen Stout, Larry Davis, Jamie Stout, Scott Arnold and Wilber Meza-Sierra. Honorary pallbearers will be Mitchell Shupe, Rev. Dennis Wilson, Scott Rasnick, Ralph Gouge, Raymond Townsend, Kyle Gouge, Jack Shook, Tate Whittington, Lawrence Hodge, Lynn Davis and Rob McCollum. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting our website www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Davis family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.2, Obituary line, 423-543-4617.