Gerald "Jerry" Davis

Gerald (Jerry) Floyd Davis, 91, peacefully passed away on March 26, 2023, after being in Hospice care for two months. Jerry was born the younger of two sons in Lansing on August 20, 1931, to William and Bessie Davis.

While Jerry’s older brother, Bill Davis, served in WWII, Jerry spent time at the Wickham house with his future wife, Pat, and her Wickham siblings. Jerry and Pat fell in love, and after graduating from Sexton High School, they married on August 25, 1951. Shortly thereafter, Jerry enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the Tenth Infantry Division. He completed basic training at Ft. Riley in Kansas and was eventually stationed at Ft. Carson in Colorado as a Cook. Jerry and Pat enjoyed living in both areas of Manhattan, KS and Colorado Springs, CO, and often took sightseeing trips of the local scenery. In 1954, during the Korean War, Jerry was stationed in Munich, Germany with the Seventh Army NCO Academy. He often said his military years were the most rewarding and he proudly showed his daughter, Cyndi, around Ft. Riley when they visited Grandson Alec in Manhattan, KS in 2017.

Following his Army service, Jerry began his long career at the Michigan Dept. of Transportation, where he retired in 1984. While there, he made lifelong friends that he played golf and softball with, and he continued to socialize with them until he went into Hospice.

Jerry and Pat had a large group of school and work friends that they spent time with, including winters in Gulf Shores, AL. They also enjoyed hosting family gatherings at their home in DeWitt and at their cottage in Greenville, where Jerry taught his children and grandchildren boating and fishing skills.

He was a patient and skilled coach of Little League baseball in DeWitt for many years, and had a profound influence on many young baseball players, including his son, Jim. Jerry was an avid DeWitt Panthers fan, and was at all his Grandsons’ football and baseball games, as well as baseball practices.

Kind, patient, and sweet are the words many use to describe Jerry. He was a loving and devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

During the last year and a half of his life, his caregivers and nurses loved his smile and his quick wit that sometimes took them by surprise since he was usually so quiet and easy going!

Jerry is preceded in death by his loving wife, Patricia (Wickham) Davis, his parents and brother. Surviving are daughter Cyndi (Davis) Puffenberger and son Jim (Jackie) Davis; Grandsons Joshua (Kristy) Davis, Nicholas Davis, Eric Puffenberger, and Alec Puffenberger; Great Grandchildren Karrie and Gunner Davis; sisters-in-law Marilyn Davis, Yvonne Wise, and brother-in-law, Gary (Diane) Wickham; and many nephews and nieces and their children.

The family is served by Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Homes, with visitation scheduled for Friday, March 31 from 5-7 p.m., and at 11:00 a.m., one hour prior to the 12:00 noon memorial service on Saturday, April 1 at the DeWitt Chapel, 205 E. Washington St., DeWitt, MI 48820.

Graveside services will take place at the City of DeWitt Cemetery.

Donations can be made to your favorite charity in remembrance of Gerald F. Davis.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.GRDeWitt.com