Mr. Donald E. Davis, Sr.

Donald Edward Davis, was the only child born to Alice Gooden and John Edward Davis, on June 23, 1936, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was predeceased by his grandmother, Rosie Barker, Mother and father, Charles “Arkansas” Cleaver, stepfather, brother Richard Brown, sister, Rose Sherman, cousins William “Gravy” Brown, Ronnie Brown, and Gary Brown. Early in his childhood, Donald was affectionately called “Donnie” or “Don”. He attended W. W. Yates Elementary, R. T. Coles, and Lincoln High School. Don Enlisted in the U. S. Air Force in 1954, serving his country with duty in Korea and Japan. He received an Honorable Discharge after six years of service. Mr. Davis obtained employment at Remmington Arms, Lake City Arsenal, and Standard Oil Refinery (BP-Amoco) refineries. Don was the first Black to work in the vapor recovery unit at Standard Oil. After twenty-two years of service at BP-Amoco, Don retired and relocated back to Kansas City from Casper, WY to live out his retirement years. Don always loved automobiles and would sometimes trade his vehicles for a classier one every year. He was a lover of jazz music, which he developed from his youthful days of hearing the sound of jazz music in his neighborhood, the historic 12th and Vine. After retirement from the oil company, Don worked for the Grandview School District for twenty years. He would beam with pride when the graduated youth would come back and share stories of remembering him as their bus driver while they attended elementary school. Don learned his cooking skills from his mom and grandmother, “Rosie Bell”. Whether on the grill or a good ole pot of stew, he was the master. Don loved family gatherings, whether birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or let’s get together days, he loved seeing his family enjoying each other. Don developed a deeper appreciation for travel after his second retirement. He and his wife enjoyed several cruises in the Caribbean and visited Hawaii, as well as other cities he had missed throughout life. Due to declining health, his traveling days ceased around 2017. Don leaves to cherish his memories, his loving family, wife, Raimonda Martin-Davis, children, sons: Dwayne Davis, Delaford Davis, and Richard Davis of the city, Donald Davis, Jr, Austin, TX, and daughters; Donna Davis, of the city and Freedra Hilstock, St. Joseph, MO; nieces, Karen, Robin and Taija, of the city; grandchildren and many families and friends. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 30, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at Centennial United Methodist Church. Visitation 10:00am-11:00am at the church. Interment Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 10:00am Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS. Condolences may be shared on our website.

Mr. Donald E. Davis, Sr.

June 23, 1936 - March 20, 2024