Earl Davis

Trimble Earl Cole Davis, Jr., 95, of Trimble, Ohio, journeyed to Heaven from Lancaster, Ohio on Friday, September 19, 2025. Born in Rensselaer, Indiana on June 30, 1930, he was the son of the late Earl Horseman Davis, Sr. and Hazel Berdina (Cole) Davis. Earl was a 1948 graduate of Jacksonville-Trimble High School where as a JT Cardinal he represented his alma mater as an exemplary athlete in basketball and baseball. After graduation and well into his adult years, Earl enjoyed longevity with his gift and love of sports and athletic competition as a celebrated home run hitter and center fielder in local and regional men's softball while also pursuing his passions for golf, pool, cards and bowling and involvement as a coach, referee and team sponsor (Davis Tax Service).

Earl was an avid stamp and coin collector, a "numbers guy" (he owned and operated Davis Tax Service for 57 years, from 1968 to 2025) and was fond of music of all kinds but especially polka which he loved listening to and dancing along with his late wife Patty. Earl was a dedicated fan of action movies and classic westerns. He would often fondly recall his childhood memories of buying popcorn and peanuts at Charlie's in Glouster on Saturdays and then going to the Palace Theater next door where the Sharp brothers Charles and Donald would let him in free to watch serials like Zorro, Durango Kid and The Lone Ranger.

As postmaster of the Trimble Post Office for 42 years, from 1968 to 2010, Earl was an enduring, friendly and familiar face in his community, serving his neighbors, friends and family in the Village of Trimble. Earl was a lifelong member of the Hocking Valley Parish Disciples of Christ Church in Trimble, a notary public, a councilman for the Village of Trimble and a longtime member of the Trimble Masonic Lodge.

Earl was an inquisitive person who remained curious and continued to learn throughout his life. After decades of preparing taxes on paper, he mastered the process of e-filing returns. He picked up a great deal from the younger members of his family, keeping up to date on news, sports and technology, and in turn, they were inspired by the example he set through his wisdom and knowledge. More recently, his daughters shared some exciting genealogy research, making Earl aware that he was a descendant of the Woodhull family in Setauket, New York, which includes Abraham Woodhull, a leading member of General Washington's intelligence network, the Culper Spy Ring, that guided the Revolutionary War effort and its success.

Earl took tremendous pride in supporting his children's and grandchildren's interests and accomplishments, whether in academics, athletics, the arts or humanitarianism, which among his other pleasures included following their careers as Trimble Tomcats, Ohio University Bobcats and as members of the Ohio University Marching 110. Earl was a loving husband of 48 years (married on his birthday, June 30, 1967) and a loving father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and cousin. He would often say "No fools, no fun!", living a full life with an evergreen sense of playfulness and humor.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents Earl, Sr. and Hazel Davis; his wife, Patricia "Patty" Ann (Nye) Davis; brothers, James Addison Davis and Charles (Baby Davis); sister, Coletta (Davis) Buchanan; parents-in-law Hubert and Fern Nye; and brother-in-law Don Carlos Nye. He is survived by a son, Chuck (Jill) Davis; twin daughters, Sheryl and Sherry Davis; two grandchildren, Casey and Jessa Davis; a brother, Douglas Delano Davis; brother-in-law Hubert (Wilma) Nye, Jr. and many nieces and nephews.

Earl's family will hold a private memorial service and celebration of his life along with the life of his late wife Patty. Arrangements are by the Morrison Funeral Chapel, Glouster-Bishopville, Ohio. Condolences, as well as fond and loving memories of Earl, may be sent to the family at www.morrisonfc.com or mailed to P.O. Box 155, Trimble, OH 45782. Earl Davis