Rees Davis

Memorial services for Rees W. Davis, 96, of Kirtland, will be at 7 PM Friday, August 3, 2012 at Davis-Babcock Funeral Home, 4154 Clark Avenue, Willoughby. The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM on Friday, prior to the service. Mr. Davis passed away Saturday, July 28, 2012 at Austinburg Rehabilitation Center. Born July 29, 1915 in Barberton, he has lived in Kirtland for the past 61 years. He was a World War II United States Army veteran. He was also a member of the Kirtland Kiwanis Club for 47 years, where he was named Kirtland Citizen of the Year in 1993 and he was also a 65-year member of Ashlar Lodge 639 Free and Accepted Masons in Twinsburg. He served on the Board of Trustees for the Kirtland Public Library and was instrumental in the creation of the Kirtland Open golf tournament. He was a long-time member of Holden Arboretum. Mr. Davis was employed as foreman with the former Ohio Bell Telephone Company. He retired in 1980 after 34 years of service. He enjoyed playing golf and bocce, camping, fishing, and dining with friends. He was an avid reader with a special interest in politics and American history. Survivors are his son and daughter-in-law, Rees S. and Meghan L. Davis of Ashtabula; brother, Jack Davis of Westlake, niece, Karann (Sandor) Szilagyi of Chagrin Falls and nephew, Brett Davis of Copley, His wife of 55 years, Gladys (Smurthwaite) Davis, passed away April 18, 2003. His parents, John and Ann (Reese) Davis and sister, Pauline Balishin are also deceased. Private family interment will be in South Kirtland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to the Kirtland Kiwanis Club, c/o The Kirtlander Party Center, 9270 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland, OH 44094 or Hospice of the Western Reserve, Inc., 17876 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44110-2502.