Steve Davis

Steve Davis, known by family as Bud, passed away on September 6, 2025, after a long illness.
He will be remembered as a friendly face, a walking joke book, and an enthusiastic Oregon Ducks fan. Steve never met a stranger, a pet he didn't love, or something he couldn't repair (earning him the nickname of Budsfixit).
Born on August 6, 1944, in Springfield, Ohio, Steve's early years were spent with aunts, uncles, and cousins hailing from both Springfield and the Hanging Dog section of Murphy, NC. The family moved to Sacramento, CA, when Steve was eight years old. He graduated from North Highlands High School and American River Junior College. He played baseball, basketball, football and ran track through junior college.
Among his fondest memories during his youth were cross country drives from California to Ohio and North Carolina to visit relatives. His love of road trips continued throughout his life.
After junior college, Steve attended the University of Oregon where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He was drafted into the Army before he graduated. After two years of service, he returned to the University of Oregon where he met his wife, Anita, and finished his degree in Personnel and Industrial Management.
Working in government human resources his entire career, he took his family from Oregon to Seattle, WA, to Washington DC, to Stuttgart Germany, to Atlanta, GA and back to Giessen, Hanau and Heidelburg, Germany. He retired from federal service in 1996. He and Anita then moved to Panama where Anita finished her federal career.
While in Panama, Steve perfected his retirement skills by golfing, fishing, scuba diving, and sightseeing. He began the tradition of an annual "once-in-a-lifetime" ski trip, visiting family and friends from coast to coast.
After Anita retired in 1999, they settled in Andrews and built a home above the airport where they delighted in hosting family, friends, mission teams, foreign students, and people Steve might have just met. His large recognizable "Ho Ho" sign displayed in winter helped bring holiday cheer to the valley.
The Andrews location was perfect for Steve to renew his love of flying. His first solo flight was in 1969, but family and career put piloting in the background until retirement. He was a charter member of a local flying club, and his hangar became one of the social hubs of the airport. His granddaughters could often be found there watching VHS Disney movies on Saturday mornings.
When Hurricane Katrina and subsequent storms devastated the South in 2005, Steve returned to the Federal Government to work with the Disaster Assistance Agency. He travelled south, setting up his card table with a stack of forms and began hiring claims processors.
Steve was a committed Christian and a member of Shepherd of the Mountains Church of Murphy. He was a charter member of the Valley River Civitan Club of Andrews where he loved cooking for the community Welcome Table every other month. He also worked with Cherokee County House Raising Volunteers and volunteered at Andrews Elementary School.
Steve was predeceased by his father John Max Davis, mother Loretta Marie (Fisher) Davis, sister Linda Kayleen Miller, and brother Roy Leslie Davis.
He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Anita Davis, his daughters Wendy (Michael) Bushey and Jamie (Andrew) Singer. He leaves behind three grandchildren, Leah Michael Bushey, Lauren Marie Bushey, and Pauline Louise Singer. Because of him, they make sure to always hold the railing on the stairs, to use two hands going around Dead Man's Curve, and to close the door before turning out the light to keep the "Wampus cats" away. He is also survived by his Uncle Rex and Aunt Frances Davis of Murphy.
A Memorial service was held at 11 a.m., Friday, September 12, 2025 at Shepherd of the Mountains Church (68 Fairfax Drive, Murphy, NC 28906).
Steve's ashes were interred at the Hanging Dog Missionary Baptist Church cemetery with four generations of his ancestors whose Cherokee County heritage goes back to before the Civil War.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org), Shepherd of the Mountains Church (68 Fairfax Drive, Murphy, NC, 28906), or Hanging Dog Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery Fund (Checks written to "HDBC Maintenance and Preservation Fund", c/o Katherine Mills, Secretary, Treasurer, 6 Appletree Lane, Murphy, NC 28906)
Ivie Funeral Home Murphy, in charge of all arrangements.