Marion Anson Davis

Marion Anson “Dave” Davis, Lt. Col. US Air Force (Ret.), 95, died peacefully in Roseville, CA on April 23, 2018.

He is survived by two children, Daniel (Susan), Santa Rosa, and LeAnn Carpenter (Jack), McKinney, TX, step-children, Harold Kingsbury (Kathleen), St. Clair, MI, Kandise Schear, Citrus Heights, 8 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren, 17 step-great grandchildren, siblings, Miles (Lorraine) Davis, Forada, MN, and Virginia Jewell, Black River Falls, WI.  He was preceded in death by 2 wives, Margaret Elaine Ratliff and Wanda Minton Kingsbury, sister, Mavis Dugan, step-sons Dennis Kingsbury and Bryan Kingsbury, and grandson Colby Schear.

Dave married Margaret Elaine Ratliff in 1943.  They were married 48 years until Margaret’s death in 1991. In 1996, Dave married Wanda Minton Kingsbury, and was embraced by her family.  Wanda died in 2015.

Marion Davis was born December 28, 1922 in Beloit, WI, to Dora Mae Miles and Marion Roderick Davis.  He grew up in Black River Falls WI, where, to this day, he is known as “Bubbs.”

Expecting the US to be pulled into World War II, he and his friends joined the armed forces immediately upon graduation from Black River Falls High School.  Bubbs enlisted in the Army Air Corp January 15, 1940. In the military, he became known as “Dave.” He was trained as an aircraft mechanic and a gunner, and assigned to a B-17 crew.  Before scheduled deployment to Europe, his plane was destroyed in a training-mission crash. Shortly thereafter, he was sent to Officer Candidate School. Upon graduation and commissioning, he was assigned to Hawaii as a signal officer and aircraft maintenance officer.

After WWII, Dave was sent to Frankfurt, Germany as a transportation officer supporting the Berlin airlift.  During his 26-year military career, he served in Japan, the Philippine Islands, and 2 tours in Germany. His last assignment in Germany was as Chief of Transportation at Headquarters USAF Europe.  He retired from the Air Force in Sacramento, CA, having served at both Mather and McClellan AFB.

Dave loved automobiles.  While still in elementary school, he used a washing-machine motor to build a go cart.  At age 16, he and a friend modified a Model T to run on tractor fuel. They removed the back seat and hung hammocks for sleeping, then drove from Wisconsin to the NYC World’s Fair.  He bought his first motor home in the 1970’s, and drove his last one until he was age 90. He traveled throughout the US with Margaret and then Wanda. Whenever possible, he would return to Black River Falls, which was always home.

Following retirement from the Air Force, it was only natural that he work in the auto industry.  He went to work for Sutton (later Maita) Oldsmobile in Sacramento, and stayed for almost 20 years.  

Dave was a serious bowler, bowling in the Premier League in Sacramento.  In 1955, he was a member of the Far East Air Force bowling team, which won the world-wide USAF Championship.  In his later years, he was an enthusiastic, but much less serious, golfer.

Dave particularly enjoyed being with the young grandchildren and great grandchildren. He took great pride and joy in their successes and accomplishments. He adored their laughter and smiles. He could tickle, tease and laugh with them for hours.

Friends and family are welcome for visitation on Sunday, April 29, 2018 from 9:00AM - 9:45AM, and are invited to attend services at 10AM all at PRICE FUNERAL CHAPEL (6335 Sunrise Blvd., Citrus Heights, CA 916-725-2109).  Interment at Sierra Hills Memorial Park. Online condolences can be made at PriceFuneralChapel.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to any veterans’ charity of choice.

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