David Wayne Davis, 85, known as Dave or “Lefty” to his friends, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Born Dec. 17, 1938 to parents Wayne W. Davis and Thelma Miles Davis in Olla, LA. Dave graduated from C.E. Byrd High School in Shreveport in 1957 and Northwestern State College in Natchitoches in 1966.
Dave served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1964 and was proud of his military service. He served in the early space program RedStone Rocket guidance systems in White Sands, NM and was a part of the Military Police Unit in Fort Sill, OK. Following his discharge from the army, Dave returned to his studies at Northwestern where he met his future wife, Retta Hartwell. He and Retta married on Aug. 11, 1967 and shared 57 wonderful years together.
Dave retired from Exide Battery Company after 32 years of service. He especially enjoyed his ham (amateur) radio hobby. First licensed when he was 13 years old, in recent years Dave received an award for 70 years of service to ham radio. His ham radio call was W5WRG.
Dave is survived by his wife Retta, his niece Glenda Laurents of Rayne, LA, and his nephews, Albert Laurents of Georgetown, TX, Brian Whitehead of Baytown, TX, and Hank Whitehead of Winnie, TX. Dave’s sisters and brothers-in-law, Alberta and Glen Laurents and Paul and Jessie Whitehead, preceded him in death.
A visitation for Dave will be held from 10 – 11 a.m. on Monday, July 22, 2024 at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, in Shreveport. A Celebration of Life service will immediately follow the visitation. Rev. Dr. Wybra Price, Senior Pastor of Broadmoor United Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will follow in Centuries Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be longtime ham radio friends Randy Fulco, Mike McCrary, Rick Westerfield, Steve Miller, Ronnie Hull and John Stewart.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials be made in Dave’s name to ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
