by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB
Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: MONDAY, February 24, 1992 TAG: 9202240087 SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A4 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: DATELINE: COVINGTON LENGTH: Medium
OBIT DAVIS, J.
DAVIS, JOHN L. COVINGTON Local radio broadcast personality for more than forty years, John Lee Davis, 72 of 316 E. Fairlawn Drive, Covington, Va., died February 23, 1992 at his home. Active in church, community and civic affairs, Mr. Davis was an Elder in the Edgemont Presbyterian Church, a member of Covington-Hot Springs Rotary Club since 1947, former member of the Covington School Board, Life Member of the Covington Salvation Army Board, former Red Cross Board member, a former member of the Jaycees, past president of the local American Cancer Society, served on the Weekday Religious Education Council, member of the Alleghany Historical Society, Alleghany Highlands Arts Council, Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center and member of Curtis Smith Post 1033 of Veterans of Foreign Wars. In 1981he received the Covington High School outstanding alumni award, was host from 1983 to 1989 of the TV program, SIXTY PLUS, for the League of Older Americans, was host from 1985 to 1989 of the Alleghany Highlands Arts Council TV program, PROGRAM NOTES, was City of Covington Representative in 1987 to the Virginia Silver Haired Legislature in Richmond and in 1961, he was the recipient of the Cross of Military service by the Virginia Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy as the grandson of Sgt. Joseph Lee Rogers. Born October 29, 1919in Norfolk, Virginia, a son of the late Thomas Ogden Davis and Carrie Rogers Davis, he had been a resident of Covington since 1920. Mr. Davis was a graduate of Covington High School and the RKO School of Radio Technique, New York, N.Y. He was employed by WKEY Radio as an announcer and program director. He was the Early Riser and Kitchen Club host until his retirement in October, 1981 and continued as Kitchen Club host through October, 1990. Mr. Davis served with the U.S. Marines during World War II in Iceland and in the Pacific Theater of Operations, and was recalled to active duty with the Marine Corps during the Korean conflict in 1950. He was a Life Member of the Sixth Marine Division Association. Survivors include his wife, Mary Frances Wright-Davis; a daughter, Ms. Julia Lee Davis; two grandchildren, Holly and Amanda Roach, Dumfries, Va.; a brother, Thomas O. Davis, Jr., San Philip, Mexico. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Charlotte Humbert Davis in 1977. A funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday, February 25th at 2:00 p.m. from Edgemont Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. William M. Harris, Jr. officiating, assisted by the Rev. Addie Davis. Interment will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery in Clifton Forge. The family will receive friends on Monday, February 24th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Loving Funeral Home in Covington, and at the home on 316 E. Fairlawn Drive at any time. The family suggests that memorial tributes may be made to the Edgemont Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 2306 S. Church Ave., Covington, or to the Salvation Army Center, 503 Highland Ave., Covington.