Vernon Kay Davis

Vernon Kay Davis was born January 19, 1938 in Oakdale, California. He was the son of Houston Milo "Bob" and Opal (Sevedge) Davis. Vernon was raised and attended school in Tracy, California, graduating from Tracy High School in 1955. While he was in high school, Vernon was active on the Tracy High School Bulldog football team.

Shortly after completion of his education, Vernon was inducted into the service of his country in the United States Navy on July 13, 1955. He served for over eight years as an Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class whose responsibilities included maintaining aircraft engines and their related systems, including the induction, cooling, fueling, oiling, compression, combustion, turbine, gas turbine compressor, exhaust and propeller systems; preflighting aircraft; conducting periodic inspections on engines and engine-related systems; field-testing and adjusting engine components, including fuel controls, pumps, valves and regulators; removing, repairing and replacing compressor and turbine blades and combustion chamber liners; preserving and depreserving engines, engine accessories and components; and supervising engine work centers. Petty Officer Davis served nearly one year overseas at the Naval Air Station in Cubi Point, Philippines. In 1963, Vernon was injured while on active duty and was subsequently medically retired from military service on December 19, 1963, receiving a 100% medical disability.

Shortly after his release from active duty, Vernon earned his private pilot's license while residing in Tracy, California. He then moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he was employed as manager of the Bliss Hotel for many years. He later accepted employment as Executive Director of the Osage Tribal Housing Authority in Hominy, Oklahoma, a position he held for many years. He then was employed by MerCruiser for a few years testing boats on Keystone Lake. During this time and a few subsequent years, Vernon resided on a houseboat on Keystone Lake on the Arkansas River arm near Walnut Creek.

Vernon was a member of the National Association of Review Appraisers and Mortgage Underwriters; he was a charter member of the National World War II Museum as well as a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, J. E. "Jim" Bracy, Post #32 in Tulsa. Additionally, he was a Certified Tennessee Squire and a life member of the Society for the Preservation of Early American Art.

Vernon later moved to Cleveland, Oklahoma where he has resided for the past several years. In the later part of 2007, Vernon relocated to the Maplewood Care Center in Tulsa where he departed this life on Friday, March 14, 2008.

Vernon is survived by two sons, Matthew Davis of Texas and Robert Davis of Wisconsin; a daughter, Belinda Davis of Arizona; two grandchildren; a sister, Kathryn Goddard of Tracy, California, a brother, Jack Davis of Las Vegas, Nevada; and his extended family of Randy Bitter, Patsy , Ashley and Marcus. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Opal Davis and a brother, Kenneth Davis.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Mike Southward officiating. Interment with full military honors will be conducted at 2:00 pm at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery