More detail on this person: Rudy Paul Davis, born December 5, 1943, the second of four sons of Alantha Joan Matson and Elmer Harold Davis, passed from this life with his wife of 54 years at his side on August 14, 2023. He was born in Everett, Washington. From a young age, he enjoyed being outdoors and was always active and mischievous. As a teenager, he worked as a logger, and regularly spent time hunting and spending time with friends. Rudy graduated from Naches High School in 1962. He attended Brigham Young University, where he earned a degree in History. He was commissioned as a Warrant Officer, alongside his younger brother, Jon, by his oldest brother, Elmer. They were all military aviators. He served a one-year combat tour in Vietnam in 1968, flying UH-1, (Huey) Helicopters, and flew 1356 hours during his tour. Following his return from Vietnam, he was stationed at Fort Rucker, Alabama, where he married Janine Cannon on September 11, 1969. They embarked on a military life, with duty stations in Germany, Texas, Utah, and Washington. Rudy held a master's degree in executive development from Ball State and a master's degree in occupational health & Safety Administration Management from Texas A&M University. They raised their children, Nicholas and Sabrena, in Steilacoom, Washington where they were involved in numerous community endeavors. Their home was a focal point for friends and family, always a place of love and good food and good company. Following his retirement from the U.S. Army in 1986, Rudy spent time working as a logger, and later as a helicopter pilot flying security along the Alyeska pipeline in Fairbanks, Alaska. Following a career with the State of Washington as an occupational Safety officer, ultimately, Rudy served as an Aviation Safety Officer with the Department of the Army. He enjoyed educating fellow aviators and helping to avoid mishaps and accidents. He served as a forward deployed safety officer in 2009 when he was stationed in Baghdad, Iraq. Upon retiring from Department of the Army, Rudy and Janine moved to Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, to be closer to some of their grandchildren. They enjoyed years of making memories with their children and grandchildren in their home. Rudy was Papa to four grandchildren but claimed as Papa by hundreds. He was a source of unconditional love, good advice, an encouraging word, and a healthy sense of play for his children, grandchildren, and a large extended natural and claimed family. So many affectionately claim Rudy as their Papa. Rudy is survived by his eternal companion, Janine, son, Nicholas (Lori Anne), daughter, Sabrena Schmella, (Skeet), 4 grandchildren, (George, Jack, Paige, and Gunnar), his brothers, Elmer (Damin) and Jon (Judie), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Jared (Kai). In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contribution may be made to the Gary Sinese Foundation, P.O. Box 40726, Nashville, TN 37204 Make a Donation | Gary Sinise Foundation or Lower Cape Fear Life Care Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 Donate Now · Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 18, 2023, at 1pm in the chapel at Jones Funeral Home, 303 Chaney Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540. Interment to follow at the Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Montford Landing Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28540. Pall Bearers: Nicholas Davis, Jack Davis, George Davis, Skeet Schmella, Gunnar Schmella, Michael Davis, Jason Davis, Christopher Davis. Honorary Pall Bearers: Jon Davis, Elmer Davis, Craig Davis, Eldon Cannon, Michael Cannon, Lynn Cannon, Terry Malloy, David Babb, Mick Rizk. Local arrangements made by Jones Funeral Home, Jacksonville.
Burial information: Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, Jacksonville, NC
This information was last updated 09/04/2023
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Date posted on this site: 06/15/2024
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