Nelson Parke Davis II

1939 - 2026

Nelson Parke Davis, II, born November 12, 1939 in South Bend, Indiana, passed away Monday, January 5, 2026 in Asheville, NC. He spent his formative years growing up in Jamestown, NC, where the values of discipline, service, and perseverance shaped the man he would become.

He attended Hargrave Military Academy where he developed a strong sense of duty and leadership. He went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Duke University before pursuing his lifelong calling to medicine at the UNC School of Medicine. He completed his surgical residency in Lexington, KY, preparing him for a distinguished career dedicated to healing and service.

Parke proudly served his country as a ship's surgeon aboard the USS Oriskany, an experience that reflected both his commitment to medicine and his devotion to serving others under demanding circumstances. After the fall of South Vietnam, he sponsored a Vietnamese family of Troung Pham and brought them to live in Wilson, NC.

Throughout his career, he practiced medicine with skill, compassion, and integrity. He served patients at Carolina Clinic, was a general surgeon at Wilson Memorial Hospital and later in the Emergency Room at Angel Hospital in Franklin, NC. His work touched countless lives, and he was widely respected by colleagues and deeply appreciated by the patients he cared for.

Outside of medicine, he found his greatest peace in the outdoors. He had a lifelong passion for fishing and sailing, and treasured time spent at the family beach house. Whether on the water, surrounded by nature, or working with his hands, he was most content outdoors. He especially loved cutting wood at the swamp and tending the fire - simple, grounding rituals that reflected his quiet strength, self-reliance, and deep connection to the natural world.

Above all, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife, Dottie Davis; his children, Thomas and his wife Renee Davis, and Amanda Davis; his brother, Drennen and his wife Shirley Davis; and four granddaughters, who were a constant source of pride and joy.

Parke will be remembered not only for his professional accomplishments, but for his steady presence, his love of the outdoors, and the deep devotion he had to his family. His legacy lives on through the many lives he healed and the family he loved so deeply.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9 at Riverside Cemetery in Asheville. Following the service, the family will greet friends at Groce Funeral Home, 1401 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation [t2t.org].

The online memorial is available at www.grocefuneralhome.com.