Obituary for Dale Richard Davis Dale Richard Davis, 94 of Grand Island, went to his Heavenly home on Friday, July 27, 2018 at Tiffany Square Center. Services will be 10 AM Monday at All Faiths Funeral Home. Daniel D. Naranjo will officiate.
Burial will be at 3 PM Monday in the Grandview Cemetery near Long Pine, Nebraska. Visitation will be Sunday from 6-8 PM at All Faiths Funeral Home. Dale Richard Davis was born October 2, 1923 at Long Pine, Nebraska to Eretha and Joseph McClelland Davis.
He was the youngest of twelve children. His mother died when he was six, so he was raised by his father with the aid of older sisters on the family ranch near Rose, Nebraska. He attended Rock County High School in Bassett, Nebraska and competed in boxing and football.
He married LeOta (Mikie) Kesselhuth on August 31, 1942. They were blessed with four children—in birth order—Boneita (Bonnie), Jerry, Lonnie and Yolonda. Always a loyal, honest and hardworking employee, he provided for his family by working on ranches and farms in the Bassett, Wolbach, Ord, Stromsburg and Wood River communities.
While he had a penchant for all animals, he had a special passion for horses. He greatly enjoyed breaking horses for dozens of owners. It was a rare time when there was not a horse or pony in the corral with which the Davis children could cavort.
He and Mikie later moved to Grand Island where he worked for Farmers Union Co-Op Grain and simultaneously served very proudly as a night security guard for 26 years at Saint Francis Hospital. After his retirements he began a lawn moving business and at age 87 was still mowing numerous lawns each week. He was also a great masculine asset to the children at Mikie’s day care center the “Gingerbread House”.
Always a jokester with a positive outlook even in hard times, he won the hearts of most people he encountered. He was extremely trusting of people and his judgement of them was based on the quality of their handshake and smile. If both were apparent he determined that “they were a good person”.
His final months were spent at Tiffany Square in Grand Island. He loved his “little apartment” and all the fine people who cared for him. His mantra was “you just can’t beat it”.
He was predeceased by all eleven siblings, his wife of 63 years (Mikie), son Jerry Davis and daughter Yolonda Davis Dowell. Among the many who will miss his loving spirit and quick smile are daughter Bonnie Watkins (Joe), son Lonnie Davis (Annette) and Connie Davis all of Grand Island as well as Chris Dowell of Goodyear, Arizona. Grandchildren include Marisa (Matthew) Fienup, Brandon (Barb) Davis, Christon Mancinas, Ben (Adrienne) Davis, Trent (Heather) Watkins, Elizabeth Davis, Brenton (Julie) Davis and Kathryn Dowell.
He also leaves 22 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by special caregiver Candi Gaffey Lemos. They all knew that Dale was an amazing man who always “gave more than he took”.
What a fantastic legacy! Gifts and memorials in honor of Dale may be given to the Central Nebraska Humane Society. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dale Richard Davis please visit our Sympathy Store.
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