Ray Davis

Ray Oliver Davis, 91, of Mason City, died Saturday, October 8, 2011, at his home. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 11, 2011, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 100 1st Street N.E., with Rev. Patti Aurand officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM 6:00 PM followed by a prayer service on Monday (October 10, 2011) at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Interment will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 100 1st Street N.E., Mason City, IA 50401, or Hospice of North Iowa, 232 2nd Street S.E., Mason City, IA 50401. Ray was born on April 27, 1920, in Clear Lake, IA, the son of Fred Oliver and Ruth Mary (Comstock) Davis. He graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1939. On July 7, 1941, (during WW11), Ray joined the U.S. Marine Corp. From October 19, 1942 - October 10, 1944, he served with the 2nd Marine Corp./Division Headquarters Co. in the South and Central Pacific area. He participated in action against the enemy at Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands from November 20, 1943 - November 23, 1943, Saipan, Marianas Islands from June 15, 1944 to July 8, 1944, and Tinian, Marianas Islands from July 25, 1944 - August 2, 1944. He was a Marksman and a Sharp Shooter. Ray was wounded in action on August 2, 1944, for which he received a Purple Heart. He received an Honorable discharge on May 10, 1945. Ray married Gene Darlene Smith at the Little Brown Church in Nashua on September 27, 1947. He worked for the Mason City School System for many years (where he also served as the Club Scout Master - Harding School), and the U.S. Post office for 26 years, before retiring in January of 1985. On December 20, 1992, Ray took Jesus into his life & heart and was a long time member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ (where he enjoyed singing in the church choir). He was also a member of the VFW, DAV, and the American Legion. Ray enjoyed golfing, bowling, traveling, playing cards with his friends, and woodworking (building gun cabinets and armoires). He also enjoyed, for many years, working at the Community Kitchen. Ray dearly loved his family, all who will dearly miss him. Ray is survived by his wife of 64 years: Gene Davis of Mason City; son: Bradley R. Davis and wife Victoria of Omaha, NE; daughter: Debra M. Hodnefield and husband Richard of Radcliffe, IA; 4 granddaughters: Karie Bradley and husband Jay, Lindsay Seidl and husband Brian, Kristin Contryman and husband Nick, Kelsey Bengtson and husband Jonathan; 2 great-grandchildren: Jordan Bradley and Jadyn Seidl. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother: Edward F. Davis, and sister - in - law: Luella Davis.

Memorials:
Memorials may be directed to the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 100 1st Street N.E., Mason City, IA 50401, or Hospice of North Iowa, 232 2nd Street S.E., Mason City, IA 50401.

Cemetery:
Interment will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery

Visitation:
Visitation will be from 4:00 PM 6:00 PM followed by a prayer service on Monday (October 10, 2011) at Major Erickson Funeral Home

Service:
Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 11, 2011, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ