By Don Rush
Youths who grew up in the Clarkston Area in the 1970s, ?80s and ?90s lost a friend and booster last week, with the passing of Raymond Charles Davis, Sr. Mr. Davis, who had been ill for about a year, died April 5, 2007, at the age of 69.
He was an advocate of youth sports in the community during his children’s youth and beyond — this despite being slowed down with advanced arthritis since he was 26 years old. His involvement with the Clarkston Chiefs Little League Football program, Independence Township Parks and Recreation Youth Baseball and Basketball and Adult Sports programs enriched countless lives in the community, including this writer.
‘Clarkston athletics is gonna? miss him,? said Kurt Richardson. Richardson, a graduate of Clarkston High School himself and current head football coach, has known Davis since the 1970s, ‘since his boys were little.?
At that time, Richardson was director for Independence Township’s little league baseball program.
‘Ray always had a team organized and was always involved. He’s one of those guys that small communities like Clarkston can’t appreciate enough. Even after his kids graduated he stayed involved with the boosters. After that, he still managed to stick his head in during football games and say, ‘hello.? He was old school and I have a special place in my heart for old school.?
Mr. Davis was born on Jan. 12, 1938, in Southfield, Michigan, one of five children of Thomas and Dorthea Davis. He received his honorable discharge as a sergeant for the U.S. Army, at Fort Sill, OK. After the service a friend set up a blind date for Mr. Davis and a woman named Katherine, who was from Gingellville. Rumor has it the date didn’t go too well.
‘But he was persistent and about 18 months later, we were married,? Katherine said. They wed at St. Michael’s in Pontiac in 1961 and were devoted to each other for 45 years.
Together from their Waldon Road home in Independence Township, they raised three children, Raymond Jr., Ronald and Rhonda — all graduates of Clarkston High School.
While not enjoying the simpler things in life — his family, friends, and love of the outdoors — he supported his family by working 35 years at Fisher Body in Pontiac.
He was a member of United Auto Workers Local #653. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing. He played numerous years in the Michigan Pub-links Golf Association and served as secretary of numerous UAW golf leagues.
One of his favorite places to go was the family cabin in Millersburg — between Onaway and Rogers City.
Mr. Davis is survived by his wife Katherine, their children, Raymond (Susan) Davis Jr., of Midland; Ronald (Michelle) Davis of Oxford; and Rhonda (Marshall) Wicks of Clarkston; grandchildren Madeline, Andrew, Sarah, Shelby, Seth, Trevor, Hunter and Spencer. Mr. Davis is also survived by brothers Thomas Davis (Donna) of New York, Kenneth Davis (Josie) of Ortonville and Norman Davis (Susan) of Clarkston.
He was proceeded in death by his parents and a sister, Dorthea.
A funeral mass was this morning (Wednesday) at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Waterford. Funeral arrangements were by Lewis E. Wint & Sons Funeral Home, Clarkston.
Financial gifts in memory of Raymond C. Davis may be directed to the Michigan Recreation and Park Association Foundation.
These gifts will continue Raymond’s work with youth and adult recreation throughout Michigan. On-line guest book www.wintfuneralhome.com.