Robert “Bob” Marvin Davis, 93, of Wango passed away Sunday, December 24, 2023 at his home. He was well-known in the area for his service to the farming community, love of learning, ability to tell a good story, dry sense of humor, honesty, and never wanting to “put anyone out”.
Bob was born on August 7, 1930 on the family farm in Wango to the late I. Ray and Nellie W. Davis. He was a self-described wild teenager, quitting school during the 7th grade because he “knew more than the teachers”. Marrying at 17 and starting a family at 18 tamed him somewhat. He farmed at night and on weekends for 10 years while working as an electrician with Miller Electric; then he finally felt comfortable to go into farming full-time.
Bob was a farmer since the day he was born. He was constantly researching new methods of farming, taking trips all over the country to see various farming operations. It was sometimes said of him that he wouldn’t take a trip unless there were pigs or cattle at the end of it. He was a member of the Wicomico County Soil Conservation Board for 35 years. He also served on the Maryland State Soil Conservation Board for several years, including three years as chairman. Additionally, he was a long-time member of the Laws Tax Ditch Public Drainage Association (over 50 years – serving many terms as a Manager and as Chairman of the board) and the Wicomico County Farm Bureau.
Having quit school at such a young age didn’t hold Bob back from learning. He subscribed to at least a dozen farming magazines and circulars, reading most of them from cover-to-cover. In the evening, it wasn’t unusual to catch him reading encyclopedias for fun. Bob was one of the founding members of the Commodore 64 Club, being one of the first in the community to own a personal computer. It didn’t take him long to get his farming data digitized, writing intricate formulae to determine which livestock should be held for breeding and which should be sold. He was still using the computer daily into his 90’s to check his stocks and to research and enter genealogical data.
His interest in family lore led him to spearhead the surveying of the Wango Cemetery, which is located on land donated by his family in the late 1800’s. He then served as trustee of the cemetery for decades. He invested many hours researching and sharing stories about his family tree.
He was a member since 1954 of the East Side Men’s Club, currently known as the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, and a member of the 149 Redmens Tony Tank Tribe.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Grace Taylor Davis; his daughter, N. Susan McClanahan; and four brothers and two sisters. He is survived by four children, Karen A. Davis (John Roach), Joan T. Davis (Edward Scott), Sandi Davis Fay (John), and Ronald K. Davis; son-in-law Mark McClanahan; four grandchildren, Renae Davis (Chris Cramer), Ryan Davis, John Fay Jr., and Virginia Fay Pack (Will); three great-grandchildren, Nolan, Rowan, and Nevaeh Cramer; brother, Donald C. Davis; and dozens of nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 2pm at Bounds Funeral Home on East Main St in Salisbury where friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Pastor Oren Perdue will officiate. Interment will follow in Wango Cemetery with a reception after at Redmen Lodge, 103 Clyde Ave, Fruitland.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Bob to Wango Cemetery, c/o Rhonda Morris, 4833 Wastegate Rd, Parsonsburg, MD 21849 or Coastal Hospice, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802. Visit www.boundsfuneralhome.com to share stories and memories.
