Nelson Parke Davis II
November 12, 1939 ~ January 5, 2026
Born in:
South Bend, IN
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly TrailNelson Parke Davis, II, born November 12, 1939 in South Bend, Indiana, passed away Monday, January 5, 2026 in Asheville, NC. He spent his formative years growing up in Jamestown, NC, where the values of discipline, service, and perseverance shaped the man he would become.
He attended Hargrave Military Academy where he developed a strong sense of duty and leadership. He went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Duke University before pursuing his lifelong calling to medicine at the UNC School of Medicine. He completed his surgical residency in Lexington, KY, preparing him for a distinguished career dedicated to healing and service.
Parke proudly served his country as a ship’s surgeon aboard the USS Oriskany, an experience that reflected both his commitment to medicine and his devotion to serving others under demanding circumstances. After the fall of South Vietnam, he sponsored a Vietnamese family of Troung Pham and brought them to live in Wilson, NC.
Throughout his career, he practiced medicine with skill, compassion, and integrity. He served patients at Carolina Clinic, was a general surgeon at Wilson Memorial Hospital and later in the Emergency Room at Angel Hospital in Franklin, NC. His work touched countless lives, and he was widely respected by colleagues and deeply appreciated by the patients he cared for.
Outside of medicine, he found his greatest peace in the outdoors. He had a lifelong passion for fishing and sailing, and treasured time spent at the family beach house. Whether on the water, surrounded by nature, or working with his hands, he was most content outdoors. He especially loved cutting wood at the swamp and tending the fire – simple, grounding rituals that reflected his quiet strength, self-reliance, and deep connection to the natural world.
Above all, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife, Dottie Davis; his children, Thomas and his wife Renee Davis, and Amanda Davis; his brother, Drennen and his wife Shirley Davis; and four granddaughters, who were a constant source of pride and joy.
Parke will be remembered not only for his professional accomplishments, but for his steady presence, his love of the outdoors, and the deep devotion he had to his family. His legacy lives on through the many lives he healed and the family he loved so deeply.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9 at Riverside Cemetery in Asheville. Following the service, the family will greet friends at Groce Funeral Home, 1401 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Services
Visitation: January 9, 2026 2:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Fading wisps dispersing into the universe.
For the renaissance man who who danced with devils and made music with angels, who held life in skilled hands, who embraced simple pleasures, who debated the gods, who bent steel with an iron will, who sheltered the weak with compassion, and who coaxed the earth to provide bounty;
Rest now. Waft gently on your way.
We cherish memories of your shared love life light.
Rarely does someone touch as many lives in so many ways as you, Parke. From helping those who were less fortunate, to all, including our family. I always admired you, and trusted you, so much so that I went Snake and bullfrog hunting on our pond at night on Sunnyside Farm in Edgecombe county. ( I was terrified of snakes!) Just one of the adventures of many!
Wishing you everlasting peace,
Your loving cousin,
Mary Lynn Gorham Dando
Dear Dottie and family,
My heart is broken for your loss. I worked with Parke at Angel Med Ctr from the time he walked in until he retired and we were great friends. He will be truly missed by all who were blessed to know him.
My heart is broken for your loss. I worked with Parke at Angel Med Center. He will be truly missed by all who were blessed to know him. He taught me so much.. We shared a lot of ginger snaps and coffee on night shift.
Arlene (Armstrong) Drinnon
My most touching memory of him is when my mother was brought into the ER, from a fall in the nursing home. She was also battling dementia. He examined her with such kindness and concern, taking time to genuinely talk and listen to her. He even sat with her for a while and commented on her beautiful blue eyes. She became calm and more like herself. I hope he knows how much he blessed her and my family and that his care and kindness will never be forgotten. I think he treated all his patients like this.
We were happy for his retirement but extremely sad to see him leave.
RIP Dr. Parke Davis. Your light will always shine in our hearts.
I had the privilege of working with Parke for many years in the ER and at rad clinic. He was a beautiful soul—driven, brilliant, and yet so kind, approachable, and encouraging to everyone around him. I cherished our long conversations on everything from medicine to deep spiritual and intellectual topics (He was studying quantum physics one of the last times we worked together, what a Renaissance man!). He made a lasting impact on me and so many others. Your father was truly someone to be honored, and you have every reason to be proud of the man he was. Rejoice up there with Jesus, Parke, I know I will see you there! God’s love and comfort to all your family.
I had the privilege of working with Dr Davis for 20 or more years at Angel. He was a true friend and mentor. I still speak his name almost every week while I’m at work. Countless conversations that he bestowed wisdom to me and made me a better X-ray tech. So many memories, one being that I built him a dulcimer one year for his birthday. The gratitude that he showed meant so much to me and still does. Because Parke was usually the one doing something nice for me. He will be so missed. My deepest condolences to the family.