John C. Davis passed away on August 31, 2024 from prostate cancer. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Roland and Anna Davis. He grew up in Wyoming, Ohio and graduated from Wyoming High School. He continued his education at Brown University where he was a member of Delta Phi fraternity. After graduation, he joined the Navy and attended flight training in Florida, Mississippi and Texas. From there he was assigned to Naval Air Station, Lemoore, CA. He served aboard the USS Oriskany (VA-164) as well as the USS Coral Sea (VA-94). He took a brief break from the Navy and flew 727s, returning to the Navy to finish his naval career. During his 21-year career, he flew 320 combat missions and accumulated 4,377 military flight hours including 612 aircraft-carrier landings. He flew A-4E Skyhawks and A-7 Corsair IIs. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross three times, received 35 Navy Air Medals and three Navy Commendation Medals with Combat V. He was also a member of the Golden Eagles Association, a prestigious organization limited to Naval Aviators.
After retiring from the Navy in 1984 as a Commander (CDR), he worked for Hughes/Raytheon as a computer engineer while also flying Learjets for Flight International, towing target banners in support of Navy training exercises.
In 2007, he moved to Port Townsend, WA, where he began his hard-earned retirement life, enjoying the company of good friends and his rescued collie dogs Nicky, Scotty, and Augie. Through the years, he kept in close contact with his high school classmates, fraternity brothers, and VA-164 squadron buddies, attending many reunions.
John was preceded in death by his first wife Corrine and his sisters Nancy Bumiller and Polly Davis. He is survived by his current wife Claudia as well as his daughters; Jennifer Rayle (Nathan) and Dr. Alexis Davis (Dr. Allen Namath), Surviving Sister; Faith Davis Lee, He leaves behind his beloved grandchildren; Avery and Elise Namath and Tanner and Piper Rayle, as well as nieces; Kathy Low and Amy Davis, and nephews; Mark, David, and Bill Bumiller, and Dave and Rob Twyman. He also leaves behind his best buddy, Augie.
A service for John will be at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Port Townsend, WA on 24 September at 2:00. He will be put to rest at the Davis Family Plot at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio on 26 October 2024. He will receive full military honors.
In remembrance of John’s life, please consider a contribution to Southwest Collie and Sheltie Rescue, SWCSRescue.com, Phoenix AZ.
Friends and family may share memories of John and sign the online guestbook at www.bradley-kosec.com
