Richard K Davis

A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend, Richard Davis passed away peacefully on December 27, 2011. He was 87 years old.

He was an accomplished United States Marine Corps officer, aviator, and businessman.

Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota July 10, 1924 Richard became an Eagle Scout and participated in the ROTC program at Cretin High School before enlisting in the United States Navy, where he was an Aviation Training Cadet. Upon earning his Naval Aviator status, Richard was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps and sent to the South Pacific, where he served as a Marine aviator in a Marine Special Operations Squadron during World War II, flying bombers, fighters and observation aircraft. Following the war, he reverted to the USMC reserve, only to be recalled to active duty during the Korean War and served in an air defense squadron at Cherry Point, North Carolina. Following the tour of active duty, Richard returned to the USMC Reserve, where he continued in various capacities as an aviator and air controller with USMC Reserve units in Minnesota and Illinois. He completed his military service as the Commanding Officer of the Air Control Squadron, Glenview Naval and Marine Air Base, Illinois.

Richard graduated from Saint Thomas College in Saint Paul, Minnesota where he earned his Bachelor Degree in Economics. Upon graduation he was employed by Shell Oil Company as an analyst. Over the years, Richard held positions as a pilot and product line specialist within Shell’s Aviation Division, and as a product line sales representative for Shell Chemical Company.

Upon retirement from Shell, Richard moved to Murphy, North Carolina where he enjoyed his retirement and volunteered as the business manager for Saint Williams Catholic Church in Murphy and Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hayesville.

Richard worked throughout his life to provide assistance to charities and assist less fortunate members of the community. He served as the lead for the USMC Reserve Toys for Tots program in Minnesota, spent more than 30 years working with and supporting the Boy Scouts of America, and was instrumental in developing the Desota Squares low income senior living home in Hayesville, North Carolina.

On May 28, 1949 Richard married Harriet McCarr, his wife for 62 years. Together they raised a family of 8 children. It was the family that Richard was most proud of and forever held closest. Over the years they resided in Saint Paul and White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Palatine and Rolling Meadows, Illinois, Cherry Point and Murphy, North Carolina, and Overland Park, Kansas.

Richard is survived by his wife: Harriet; sister: Nancy Davis of Saint Paul, Minnesota; 8 Children: Michael (Doreen) Davis of Brooksville, Florida, Mary Schoneman of Bloomington, Illinois, Elizabeth (Greg) Rackauskas of Bloomington, Illinois, Theresa (Rick) Kerwin of Antioch, Illinois, Patrick (Elizabeth) Davis of Overland Park, Kansas, Kelly (Debbie) Davis of Overland Park, Kansas, Casey (Jeanne) Davis of Hayesville, North Carolina, and Kathleen (Eric) Barr of Kansas City, Missouri; 21 grandchildren (and 6 spouses); 20 great-grandchildren; and 5 nephews and nieces. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Florence (Sheehan) Davis.

A wake will be held Friday, January 6, 2012 at McGilley Memorial Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64145. A private family visitation will occur from 4:00 – 4:30pm, followed by a Rosary and Prayer service. Friends may call during an open visitation from 5:15 – 7:15pm. A funeral Mass will be at 11:00am, Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th Street, Leawood, Kansas 66209. A US Marine Corps military burial will immediately follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 8300 Quivira Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66215

Memorial contributions may be made in Richard’s honor to the Catholic Charities, Boy Scout Troop 449, or USMC Toys for Tots. Please submit any memorial contributions to McGilley Memorial Chapel.