John Davis Obituary
John lived in Oshkosh, WI for his childhood, becoming City Tennis Champion and High School Chess Club Champion. John studied medicine at Mercy Hospital in Oshkosh and later became an Arthur Murray dance instructor but then answered his country's call to service in the Army. John returned to Arthur Murray's as a dance instructor where he met his first wife, the late Judith "Judy" Chloe Tegen and moved to Appleton. In the late 1980's, he married Elvira "Vera" Lucas. John enjoyed woodworking as a hobby and side business, playing golf with Vera, singing at George's Supper Club in Appleton, and continued teaching dancing until he was 82.
John is survived by his son, Brian (Heidi) Davis; his granddaughter, Brianna Davis; sister-in-law, Barbara Davis; nieces and nephews: Lisa (Scott) O'Connor, James (Trina) Davis Jr., and Robert (Laurie) Davis.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Vera Davis; as well as his brother, James "Jim" Davis.
A Memorial service for John will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. at Valley Funeral Home, 2211 N. Richmond St., Appleton. Visitation will begin at the funeral home at 2:00 p.m. and will continue until the time of the service at 4:00 p.m. For online condolences, please visit www.valleyfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Wisconsin Veterans Foundation in John's honor.
To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
Gloria Bunders
January 6, 2026
Our sympathy to Brian and Heidi and Brianna. We spent lots of time with John and Auntie Vera over the years. No one could tell stories like John. We enjoyed our visits to their home and seeing Johns woodworking. When Brianna came into their lives, it changed him. He was a doting grandfather. Thanks for the memories John. He was quite a jokester. RIP. Allan and Gloria
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