Gary Davis
Gary N. Davis peacefully passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2021 watching football at his home in Cleveland, Tennessee, at the age of 79 as a result of esophageal cancer.
Born in Cleveland in 1941 to O.D. and Virginia Davis, he moved with his parents and brother, Richard to Cleveland, Ohio around 1943. After graduating from West Tech High School in 1959, Gary worked with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad until he became a City of Cleveland Ohio police officer in 1965. He took great pride in his job as a patrolman who worked sporting events for the NFL Cleveland Browns and the AHL Cleveland Barons hockey team, as well as many concerts and special events.
He accepted a job as a detective with the Miami Beach Police Department and moved his wife Joann and two daughters to Florida in 1972. In Miami he advanced his education earning Criminal Justice and Associate in Arts degrees from Miami-Dade Community College, all while working on the Miami Beach Police Vice Squad until 1978.
Always interested in the business world, he partnered to own racehorses and a Burger King franchise. This interest led him to return to his hometown of Cleveland, Tennessee to help his parents OD & Virginia Davis move their fledgling chocolate candy business from their home to a shop in the Village Mall. The Davis Chocolate Pot successfully operated as a family business until the mid-1990s.
While helping set up the family business, Gary also worked at Sequoyah Nuclear Plant in Security. He later advanced to Nuclear Operations earning an Associate of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Chattanooga State and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama before retiring from TVA in 1996.
Gary worked with Life Bridges and Cleveland Bradley Services during retirement.
An avid sports fan, Gary could be found on weekends in front of the TV with his beloved Weimaraner Rudy, his daughter, Sharon Davis Silvers and son-in-law, Scott Silvers. His other daughter, Linda P. Davis was often working the very sporting events he watched and Gary took pride in telling stories about accompanying her to NASCAR events, NHL games, the Grand Ole Opry and other special events in conjunction with her work.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Davis of Marietta, Georgia, and his parents, OD & Virginia Davis of Cleveland, Tennessee.
Gary is survived by his daughter, Sharon Davis Silvers (Scott) of Old Fort, TN; his daughter, Linda P. Davis (Trey) of Nashville, TN; grandson, Austin Silvers (Mishon) of Cleveland, TN, grandson, Kevin Silvers of Cleveland, TN; granddaughter, Anna Silvers of Fort Worth, TX; two great-grandsons; aunts, Bobbie Cope and Wilma Nipper; and nephews, nieces & cousins.
To those who knew Gary and his sense of humor, we ask you to tell a joke and laugh a bit as he would today. Give thanks to the doctors, nurses, hospice and healthcare workers you encounter, and if you currently have the means please donate to the charity of your choice in his honor.
The immediate family has held private services.
Please visit https://www.fikefh.com/obits to view a tribute and leave a condolence card.
Fike-Randolph & Son Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.