1Tech. Sgt (Ret.) Herman A. Davis, 93, of Hampton, Tenn., made his final mission to join his heavenly father on Wednesday, January 23, 2019, from Hermitage Health Care. Herman was born in Bridgeport, Ala., to the late James and Joda Phillips Davis. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Joe J. Davis, Calvin Davis and James Richard Davis; three sisters, Beatrice Helen Odom, Gerald Lee Smith and Barbara Rose Lunceford; and two dear friends, (SSG) Freeman Lunceford and Tech. Sgt. Gene Whitson.
Herman was a true American hero, a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather “Papaw,” and friend. He proudly served his country as 1Tech. Sgt (Ret.) with the United States Air Force and United States Army, with 23 years of service. He served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was on flying status in the Vietnam War and flew helicopter rescue missions resulting in countless lives saved, and participated in 69 combat missions. After his service in the military he retired from Nuclear Fuels in Erwin, Tenn. He was a member of the VFW #2166 of Erwin, A.F. Sergeants Association and Oil, and the Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union. He was a member of Rittertown Baptist Church and worked as a volunteer who delivered Meals on Wheels, a cause he held dear to his heart. Herman received a Certificate of Recognition for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program in 2004, he loved children and was devoted to helping them in any way he could, and while serving in Vietnam he would sacrifice his own meals to feed the hungry children around him in the Philippines. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, drag racing and antique cars.
Those left to cherish his memory include his devoted wife of 53 years, Helen Lunceford Davis, of the home; one son, Kevin Scott Davis, of the home; one daughter, Vicky Lynn Taylor, and her husband Jack, of Jonesborough, Tenn.; six grandchildren, Misty Dawn Estep, and her husband Steve Haynes, of Simpsonville, S.C., Joshua Ashley Estep, and his wife Jessica Edwards, of Houston, Texas, Justin Lee Taylor, and his wife Sarah, of Johnson City, Tenn., Harley Cheyenne Davis, of Elizabethton, Tenn., Brittney Nicole Canipe, of Simpsonville, S.C., and Carissa Brooklyn Dean, of Simpsonville, S.C.; Special Friends, Randy Guinn, and his wife Heidi, Troy Pepus, and his companion Lisa, Mark Cochran, Jeff Johnson, and his wife Jennifer, Teresa Davis and a very special friend of the family, Paulie Ditrapani, who stood by the family and helped in so many ways during difficult times; as well as several additional family members, friends and numerous people he loved as family, you know who you are.
A celebration of Herman’s life will be conducted at 7 p.m. Sunday, January 27, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Richard Stout officiating. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, prior to the service, or at the residence at other times. The graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, January 28, at the Rittertown Baptist Church Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Air Force, and the Bristol Honor Guard. Rolling Thunder will lead the procession. Active pallbearers will be selected from military service members and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Joshua Ashley Estep, Justin Lee Taylor, Steve Haynes, Randy Guinn and Lynn Tolley. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home at 1 p.m. Monday to go in procession to the cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors and staff at Hermitage Health Care and Caris Hospice for all the loving care shown to Herman. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301/Attn. Gifts, Cincinnati, OH 45250. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Mr. Davis and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information Line: (423) 543-4917.