Donald Davis

Donald Lee Davis, age 78, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, November 17, 2011. Don's love for God, his family, and his country were unconditional, and his patriotism was unsurpassed
Don was born on October 8, 1933, in Carlsbad, New Mexico. At the time, his parents, Velma and Lee Davis, lived in a rock house just outside the Carlsbad Caverns where his father was manager of the Cavern lunchroom.
Don graduated from the University of New Mexico with a BS in Chemistry on June 6, 1956, and was commissioned from the NROTC program at that time. The next day, June 7, he married Cynthia Bowers Davis in the Baptist Student Union on the UNM campus. He taught Damage Control at NAVSCOLCOM, Treasure Island, San Francisco, California, while on active duty; and when released in 1958, returned to attend graduate school at the University of New Mexico, obtaining a Masters Degree in Chemistry and completing all the course work for his PhD.
Since 1959, he served in various Naval Reserve intelligence billets including Commandant Eighth Naval District Intelligence Unit 110 (1978-80) and Reserve Intelligence Area Coordinator of Area 7 (1981-83). Don was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal (for outstanding meritorious service as RIAC, 1981-83), the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, and Armed Forces Reserve Medals. Don entered the Navy as an Ensign and retired from the Reserves as a Captain on June 14, 1987.
The majority of Don's civilian career was in the environmental sector, but his greatest love was the twenty plus years he served in the Naval Reserve Intelligence Unit.
Don was preceded in death by his father, Lee Davis, and his mother, Velma Davis. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Cynthia Davis of Irving. Surviving children are Larry (T.L.) Davis of Mansfield, David Davis (Brad Wilson) of New York, NY, and Donna (Perry) Logerstedt of Senegal, West Africa. Surviving grandchildren are Graham, Austin, Faith, Jonathan, Aaron, and Kaley. Don is survived by one sibling, Larry (Nettie) Davis of Orange Lake, Florida.
The family would like to thank the staff of Silverado Turtle Creek for their loving care of Don.
Visitation will be at Donnelly's Colonial Funeral Home, 606 West Airport Freeway (Highway 183), Irving, TX 75062, (972/579-1313) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at noon on Wednesday, November 23, 2011, at Donnelly's Colonial Funeral Home. Don will be buried with full military honors in a private ceremony at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Southwestern Medical Foundation, 3963 Maple Avenue, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75219 or The Alzheimer's Association, 4144 N. Central Expressway, Suite 750, Dallas, TX 75204.