Jack W. Davis

Jack W. Davis, 90, of Clear Lake, died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, at Concord Care Center, in Garner.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at Galilean Lutheran Church, 4454 255th St., Clear Lake, with Pastors Scot and Melinda McCluskey officiating.  Burial will be held at Ventura Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Family suggests memorial contributions to Galilean Lutheran Church.

One of the best things to come out of 1929 was Jack W. Davis, born Aug. 24, the son of Walter and Marie (Wilson) Davis, in Des Moines.  He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1947.  He joined the United States Air Force and served for 32 months as a weapons specialist officer for Strategic Air Command.  While in the military, he married Merry West, of Des Moines.   Following an honorable discharge, he moved back to Des Moines and they had four children.  Jack went to Iowa State University and graduated from Drake University.  He had a lifelong career in sales and entrepreneurship.  Upon his divorce, he subsequently married Sandra Sage Bright and her son, Mark (then age two).   

Jack had a lifelong love of Clear Lake from his early years.  And he, Sandra and Mark decided to move to Clear Lake in 1978, and joined Galilean Lutheran Church.  He became actively involved in the community, working on the County Board of Adjustment for 27 years and was a founding board member of Dixie Fest.  Helping with Dixie Fest was natural, because outgrowth of his love for Dixieland Jazz and his desire to share the music with others that brought such joy to him.  

Jack was a man of many talents and interests.  He was a scuba diver practically from the time Jacques Cousteau invented diving.  He was a dive instructor in Des Moines, as well as, a rescue and recovery diver for many years.   Jack was a motorcycle enthusiast and rode from an early age until he was in his 80’s.  Jack loved competitive sports and played handball and golf.   He was an avid card player of gin rummy, bridge, and 500 to name a few.  He competed in a 40-year backgammon tournament with his daughter.  He taught his children how to ride horses, shoot guns, fish, throw both baseballs and footballs, and of course, boating.  Boating was one of his overall favorite ways to share time with friends and family.   There was no place he loved more than being in his boat on Clear Lake.  He and his son, Mark, were best friends.  

To family and friends he was the consummate story teller, always ready with his quick wit, dry humor and a smile.   He was always ready to lend a hand.    He was a hero to many, and anyone who knew him loved him.   His legacy will be enduring memories of his kindness, quick wit, sly humor and the stories that he has shared with everyone he met.

Left to share his memory is his wife of 50 years, Sandra Davis, Clear Lake; five children, Michael W. Davis, Fresno, Calif., Brad W. (Ruth Ann) Davis, San Marcos, Calif., James W. (Amy) Davis, Fresno, Martha Davis (Gregory) Alexander, Pleasant Hill, Calif. and Mark L. (Michele) Davis, Ventura; 12 grandchildren, Ivan (Brooke) Davis, Heather Davis, Justin Davis, Jack Davis, Hunter Davis, Leah Davis, Kristofer Alexander, Parker Davis, Armando Alexander, Mikayla Alexander and Madalyn Davis; three great-grandchildren, Gavin, Maya and Alexandra Davis; in-laws, Margarita and Alan Atwell and James West.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Marie Davis; and brother, Walter Davis.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.