John Robert Davis

John Robert Frank Davis, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Hospice of Dayton. A warrior at heart, he courageously fought a battle of well over 4 months duration with courage, grit, and determination. A man with diverse knowledge, talents, and interests he was born on October 10, 1942, in Dayton, Ohio to Robert Frederick Frank and Thelma Susan Frank (nee Cooper). When a teenager, he was adopted by his stepfather James Dewey Davis, who helped to raise him from the age of 7 and with whom he was very close. John grew up in Clifton and was a 1960 graduate of Cedarville High School. After returning home from serving in the Air Force during Vietnam, he attended Central State University for a time. John, known as “Pa” or “Pappa John” to his grandchildren, was preceded in death by: his parents; grandson, Andre M. Calloway; and nephew, Benjamin “Benny” Davis. He is survived by an extensive blended family: his wife, Marlena K. Davis, (nee Rockhold); daughters Andrea A. Davis, Gina L. Calloway; step-daughters Deborah Gray, Toni (Mike) Martin; step-son Eric P. Long; grandchildren Ciera Lane, Ely Davis, Uriah (Da’Monte) Blades, Deven Lane, Jared Ivey, and Nathan Ivey; 4 great-grandchildren: Arielle and Alana Calloway, Braxton Morris and Mills Ivey; sister, Sue (Lee) Sturgis; brother, Larry (Dottie) D. Davis; sister, Linda Anders; nephews Jeff (Laura) Sturgis, Jason Sturgis; Jodi Davis; nieces Megan Hughes and Karen Anders. He is also survived by a host of grand-nephews and nieces. While growing up, the Cooper family was large and close-knit; John was the oldest of his grandparents’ grandchildren and he is survived by many cousins with whom he was close during his youth, and who continue to care for him deeply. For many years John lived and worked in Yellow Springs; he was an engineer employed with Yellow Springs Instrument Company for 33 years in the Temperature Department and was responsible for setting up the first robotics system YSI, retiring in 2007. He was a very talented carpenter, with “The American Woodshop” and “This Old House” being two of his favorite television programs, along with anything on YouTube that involved people building houses (or building almost anything, really) from scratch. Over the years, he built many beautiful things for his home and for his family. He thrived on being outdoors, gardening, and working on his beloved 5-acre property that he bought in the 1980’s just outside of Yellow Springs. He was a homebody who simply loved his home! In addition to carpentry, he was a musician, playing the trumpet over the course of his life, from his school years through until just the last few months. When enlisted, he traveled many places in the world as a member of the Air Force Band; in more recent years, he played with the Kettering Civic Band and the Beavercreek-Nazarene Church Band. John was a man full of knowledge: having a conversation with him was always an opportunity to learn something new and/or to have a deep discussion. His family will always miss him and will hold his dear memory in their hearts! The viewing for John will be held on Friday, June 23, 2023 at the Be Hope Church of Nazarene in Beavercreek, Ohio from 11:00am – 1:00pm, with services to follow at the church beginning at 1:00. Following the services, burial will take place at Clifton Cemetery in Clifton, Ohio. We wish to thank Kettering Home Care nurses (Allison and Gina), the staff of Hospice of Dayton, especially John’s home care nurse Laesi, and Dr. Manisha Nanda and her staff at the Ollie Davis Pavilion at Soin. Their kind, patient, and professional care for John during what was surely one of the most difficult times of his life was greatly appreciated. Thank you for the support provided to us, his family, as well. We also wish to acknowledge the kindness of friends from his bible study small group, who have been a deep well of support and a constant fountain of strength to John and his wife during this time: thank you. Arrangements entrusted to the Jackson Lytle and Lewis Funeral Home, Yellow Springs. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.jacksonlytle.com.