Raymond P. Davis

Raymond Peter Davis was born in Agawam, Massachusetts on August 31st, 1931, the youngest of 8 children of Salim and Edna Davis, both first generation immigrants from Lebanon. Ray had 4 sisters and 3 brothers. His closest sibling was Ramona, 2 years older, then Helen who was 6 years older. The Davis family were all active and devout Maronite Catholics.

His childhood was spent at 52 North Street, the "white house on the hill", where the family had a small farm and raised feeder lambs. Salim ran the farm and a small store in Springfield called Davis Meat Company. Ray famously rode a horse to school, not all the time but at least enough for an epic photo of him.

Raymond was the last of a long line of successful academics from the Davis family. He graduated with honors from Agawam High School in June 1949. Throughout his teenage years Ray had many part time jobs - most notably gas station mechanic. This gave him the means and access to own his first of so many cars which he loved.

He then attended American International College in Springfield and worked his way through doing mostly bookkeeping jobs. He graduated with honors in June 1953. Before he even finished college Ray applied for and was accepted into the US Navy Officer's Candidate School.

Ray met Estelle Gibeau at a Swing-era dance club and was smitten and committed. She became the love of his life. They married on November 23, 1953, right after he became commissioned as an officer in the US Navy.

Ray's distinguished Navy career spanned 31 years, beginning as the Supply Officer of one ship after another, and at a radar station in North Africa. He then furthered his Navy career by attending George Washington University and achieving a Masters of Business Administration in 1968 and was subsequently assigned to be the Comptroller of significant Naval Bases including: the US Naval Academy, the Philadelphia Shipyard and finally Pearl Harbor Hawaii. He rose to the rank of Captain and ultimately retired in 1984, with Pearl Harbor as his last tour of duty.

Estelle embraced her role as a Navy Wife and together they moved from base to base while raising their five children. William Raymond, born in Springfield Massachusetts in August 1954, then in June 1958 in Newport Rhode Island the twin girls Corinne Edna and Jacqueline Estelle arrived. While assigned at Sidi Yahia Navy Communications Station, Morocco, Ray and Estelle welcomed their fourth and fifth, Ronald John in May 1960 and Charles Edward in July 1961.

Ray famously led his family of seven Davis's through household moves, trips to see family in Massachusetts, vacations, camping trips, college dorm move-ins, weddings, births, housewarmings and every other major life event. Truly the stoic patriarch of an active and successful clan.

Following his commissioned Navy career Ray worked at the Concord Weapons Station in California for five years, and then as a Real Estate Agent for several more before retiring. His next full-time job was as the faithful caretaker of Estelle as her needs became greater, until her passing in 2024. They celebrated 70 years of marriage.

Ray and Estelle loved their long-time home and family basecamp in Concord. They lived there forty years, by far the longest of any location. They would have preferred to stay right until the end. But now as fate would have it they are once again together and will forever guide their growing family and be cherished for their love and generosity.

Raymond is survived by son William, daughter-in-law Fortunata, daughter Corinne, daughter Jacqueline, son-in-law Cornelis, son Ronald, daughter-in-law June, son Charles, and daughter-in-law Shirley. His grandchildren are Mark, granddaughter-in-law Kristine, Sarah Estelle, grandson-in-law Todd, Danielle, grandson-in-law Benjamin, Mitchell, and Lauren and great-grandchild Malcolm.

Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held March 27, 2026, at All Saints Lutheran Church, Novato, California at 9:30 AM.

Burial ceremony will follow at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery at 1:00 PM.

Memorial Donations can be made in Raymond's name to All Saints Lutheran Church, or the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society https://support.nmcrs.org/a/homepage?t=true