Richard M. Davis

richard davis
Dick Davis of Webb Cove Rd. entered into his next adventure on March 18th, 2012. Dick was born in the small Irondequoit Indian Village in upstate New York on April 2, 1929 to Edward Davis and Erma Pugsley (their anglicized names). His life's passion and work took him on many colorful journeys in the U.S. and around the globe. It was evident from the first that he was a bit different from many of his primary school classmates. Finding games of Cowboys and Indians distasteful he instead preferred to engage in flights of fancy imagining himself a fierce and swashbuckling pirate on a buccaneer ship. In an effort to attain this vision he joined the US Navy shortly after his 16th birthday. WWII was still going on so he knew he was destined to be a naval hero. Alas, this was not to be, as the war was over before he had fully gained his sea legs. Never the less, he did go down to the sea in ships serving aboard the Aircraft Carrier Franklin Delano Roosevelt (USS FDR CVB-42). It was on board this ship in the midst of a small intense hurricane that he devoted his life to prayer and the pursuit of meteorology. The pursuit ended with his retirement in 1999 and many questions remain controversial or unsolved. The praying goes on. After discharge from the Navy he resumed his educational goals (actually those goals were practically nil prior to his enlisting). It was later on in his career that he realized hind casting was much safer than forecasting so he changed his focus from meteorology to climatology. Still chasing the illusion of heroism he jumped into various civic activities, Scoutmaster, Rescue Squad Chief, Fireman, Deputy Sheriff, tutoring, etc. Along the way he received many awards, honors and accolades. The church also became a big part of his life and he did his best to support it with his leadership talents, his stewardship and his bass singing in the chancel choir for fifty six years. (His voice became more raspy and pirate like as the years progressed) Another important element in his life was music. At the beginning of the seventh grade, because of his birthright, he was asked to play drums in the school band. Eschewing that demeaning request he elected to play tuba and bass violin. Beginning in 1955 he formed the Kentucky Gentlemen rhythm and blues combo. It became a staple in the music scene of western North Carolina for the next forty six years. Then in 1988 he joined the tuba section of the Asheville Community Band where he played until his breath gave out. A 2009 diagnosis of lung cancer and emphysema kind of took the wind out of his sails but did not dampen his spirit or sense of humor. In January 2012, congestive heart failure was added to the mix and his jib began flapping in the breeze. In addition to his parents, his wife, two daughters and an older brother predeceased him. He is survived by his daughter Lee Norris (John) of Roswell, GA, grandson James Norris of Mableton, GA, brother Gary Davis (Virginia) of Irondequoit, NY along with a slew of nieces, nephews, close friends and casual acquaintances. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave is in charge of the activities and you are invited to stop in at the funeral home from 5 to 8 PM on Wed., March 21st, 2012 to share some memories and chat with family and friends. Interment will be in the Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church cemetery, 171 Beaverdam Rd at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 22nd, 2012. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Rev. David Warren will conduct both services. A contribution to the Asbury Memorial UMC cemetery fund will allow Dick to rest in peace and will be appreciated. Also tell someone today that you love them, perform a random act of kindness, and raise a glass in toast to someone near and dear to you.

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  1. This is the best obituary I have ever read. What more could we expect? I hope reading it with a smile will help ease Lee’s heart.

  2. Lots of pleasant memories of Dick from NCDC. He had a way of making the day interesting and at times entertaining. Farewell my friend.

  3. I have known Dick since 1971. Met him after two houses burned behind the Beaverdam Firehouse….we built kids toys together, managed to lose a toe cutting his lawn, he played Santa to my and many other children, was Santa for Highland Hospital and ARC…took care of visiting meteroligist from China and was a good friend for all these years….Had lots of funny fishing trips with the fishing gang….He will be missed…..Tom

  4. Dick learned a lot from you in the short time I was in the reserves program had a blast learned a lot it was an honor to meet you in the short time I did. RIP

  5. We were so sad to hear of Dick’s passing. He was much loved and I (Nola) worked with Dick for many years. We had some good times and some harrowing times. The person who wrote his obit has captured his personality and sense of humor. He was always a hero in my book. Nola

  6. My fondest memory was hearing him on the radio when he worked in dispatch. He was always great to be around. I will miss him greatly.

  7. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. Having known Dick for many, many years, I always had the highest respect for him. A true gentleman in every way.

  8. God now has a leader of men in his army.

    Lt Davis you will and are a life long teacher to me on what a great Officer should be. You will be missed greatly.

    God bless your family for now you are watching out for us all.

  9. My condolences to the Davis Family. I am deeply saddened by Dick’s death and the Sheriff’s Office has lost one of its favorite personalities.

    I’ll miss his resonating voice, his unparalleled sense of humor, and his friendship! Dick brought a smile to everyone’s face even with the most mundane call for service.

    God Bless!

    Doc Montgomery

  10. I worked with Dick at the Buncombe County Sheriffs Office. He could always make you smile. I loved his sence of humor. My prayers and thoughts are with the family.

  11. I was sorry to hear about Dick’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. I worked with Dick alot of years at BSCD and enjoyed the ‘Dick Davis Show’ every Sunday. I was blessed to have called him a friend.

  12. Mrs Davis and Family I offer my deepest condolences.My late husband Terry spoke often of your husband having worked with him on numerous occasions with the sheriffs department and various other agencies over the years.He had nothing but the highest respect for him.I recall my husband saying once that your husband and father was a quiet man until he had something upon his mind,then he would find the right way so that ALL would hear and understand his meaning without being offended.Your father was a wise man indeed.

  13. Met Dick when he played at our parties of Eastern Aerial Photo and then he hired me at NWS. I will miss him as a personal friend and pray for his family. RIP Dick & we will see you again.

  14. Dick was a great man who always brought a sense of joy and laughter where-ever he was. We were all blessed to know him. He will be missed by many.

  15. Charlie and I have been fortunate to have had Dick as a neighbor these past few years, although as often goes with most of us and neighbors, we did not know him nearly well enough. Dick and Charlie did enjoy many conversations and passed around their share of internet jokes. What a jewel he was to so many, and we wish him well on his next journey. We shall miss the comfort of having him next door and hope Lee finds comfort in this wonderful tribute and in her memories.

  16. Dick was such a wonderful person and I truly enjoyed working with him at the Sheriff’s Office on Sunday nights for several years. I am sure he is at peace now.

  17. To the Family of Dick Davis:

    I treasure all the times I worked with Dick on Sunday nights at the Sheriff’s Office; such a wonderful person. He will truly be missed but I am sure he is at peace now.

  18. Sorry to hear of Dick’s embarkation, but I bet he’s enjoying the cruise. He was a fine person and a credit to our community; I’m sure many here will miss him.

  19. Dear Lee and family,

    We, and Asheville have lost a friend and a real dedicated volunteer and passionate worker for the community. Dick beleived in giving back, and was such a joy to be around. Always a sense of humor.
    Anything Dick undertook was done with sincerity and grace. He will be missed by many friends and family.

    Myra Ramsey

  20. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with Dick’s family and friends. I was honored to have him as a member of the Asheville Community Band. He was truly an asset and pleasure to have in the tuba section.

  21. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY AND HE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL ESPECIALLY HIS HUMOR AND MANY STORIES .HE ALWAYS HAD A SMILE AND COULD MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER NO MATTER HOW BAD YOUR DAY WAS

  22. I knew Dick back in the 70’s working for him at NOAA. He introduced me to the BCSO and I was seduced. Thank you my friend. You were a friend and mentor for these many years. Retired after 30 yrs of Law Enforcement, the days working with Dick and the BCSO hold the fondess memories. Dick was a great and passionate man. Rest in Peace.

  23. I enjoyed working with Dick Davis. He always brought cheer to the darkest of circumstances by sharing his many jokes. I know he will be missed by all that knew him. He was a man of true character.

  24. Lt Davis has always been a true leader, a man of true character and a gentleman. I have been blessed to have known he and his family for many years, and to serve under his command in the Reserve Division for the past 13 years. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family as they deal with their loss. Thank you for sharing Dick Davis with us.

  25. I remember Dick from dispatching on Sunday nights in the 70’s. He was always professional and good to work with. My prayers for the family and friends.

  26. Worked with DICK at the NCC for many years and he was always the life of the party!
    Loved him for everything he was to all of us!
    MAY GOD BE WITH DICK, HIS FAMILY AND ALL OF HIS FRIENDS!
    Glenn & Helen O’Kelley

  27. What an amazing life for an amazing person! We were all lucky to have been touched by the grace that was Dick Davis. I will always remember the laughter we all shared during the ‘Dick Davis Show’. It was HIS county on those Sunday nights. Dick was a compassionate, loving man who lived what he taught: care, compassion, generosity. God bless you, Sir. You touched my heart and the hearts of countless others. You wont be forgotten and I hope that I can live up to the legacy of grace that you built.

    Bobbi Vander Veen
    Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office

  28. What a man!!! I just loved it when he came to the beach. I loved the stories he told and the conversations that we had together. I can still remember him coming over to help me build the porch. The best thing was our competition in ‘Communication 601’. There was no doubt that he was far superior in technique, knowledge and the overall ability to express himself than I will ever be. I will really miss Dick but I will always consider it an honor that he was my friend and fishing partner.

  29. Although we only met Dick for a short time on our visit to Ashville we were soon ‘into’ his humour and listened with interest to his varied and interesting stories.
    And then we maintained an online friendship with his ‘different’ emails.
    He was obviously a man who loved humanity and although he will be missed we can live with our fond memories of him.
    Mick & Maggie Downs

  30. Lee and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I have known Dick since he joined the Asheville Community Band. Had many good time with dick in the band. Mike

  31. Lee, What a great man. I know where you got your sense of humor and love of life from. You and your family are in my prayers.

  32. Dear Lee and family: Lee, I am so sorry to see that your dad has passed away. Through the years I have thought of you and wondered where you were. I do not take the newspaper on a regular basis, but just happened to on the day of your dad’s posting. As well, it was a pleasure to read about your dad and his life acheivements. I met both your mom and dad long, long, ago. God Bless!! An old friend….Bonnie


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