Charlie Davis

1932 - 2025

Charlie Davis

May 18, 1932 - August 10, 2025

Beaufort , South Carolina - Charles (Charlie) Davis died in his home with family close by on August 10, 2025.

A Memorial service will be held at the Fripp Island Community Centre & All Faiths Chapel on Fripp Island on Friday, August 22, 2025.

Charlie was born on May 18, 1932 to the late William N. Davis and the also late Anna Dempsey Davis. He is also preceded in death by his brother's: William and Michael Davis.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years Page, children James (Jim), Peter (Pete), and Mary,

stepson David and 6 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.

Mr. Davis was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Wayne Pa until he attended Portsmouth Abbey and St. Vincent Preparatory schools. He attended the University of PA on an NROTC

scholarship. Upon graduating in 1955, he entered Naval service. As a naval officer in New

Jersey, he served as a pilot, air intelligence officer, and Anti-Submarine Warfare officer. He flew

ZPG-2s blimps as well as S2Fs from the USS Lake Champlain aircraft carrier. He attended the

Navy's Air Intelligence School and served in the defense intelligence community from 1962 to

2000 in the Washington DC area. In August 1962 he briefed the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the

emerging Soviet SAM system being installed in Cuba leading to the identification of the Cuba

missile crisis. He continued sharing his intelligence insights through opinion pieces in the

National Catholic Reporter, the Washington Post and the Beaufort Gazette. Throughout his adult life, Charlie was very active in the Catholic church reform movement that sought the ordination of married priests and women and more active role of the laity. In 2000, Charlie and Page moved to Fripp Island, SC where they thoroughly enjoyed the natural environment with all the birds. Charlie served on the Fripp Island Property Association board and Fripp Island Resort Advisory Committee In his retirement in the low country, he helped establish the progressive Episcopal parish of St. Mark's in Port Royal, SC. On Fripp, they have had a special community of friends who have supported them as Charlie's health declined. Charlie enjoyed playing tennis and body surfing in the Atlantic Ocean. He was an avid sports fan and shared the love of attending and watching sports events with his family. Charlie and Page played competitive duplicate bridge through December of 2024.

Contributions may be made in the name of Charlie Davis to St. Mark's Episcopal church in Port

Royal and All Faiths Chapel on Fripp Island.