Joe Davis

 Joe R. Davis was the fifth child born to his parents on March 6, 1932 in Audubon County, Ray and Katherine Burkhardt Davis during a snow storm. The family moved to a farm near Bayard in 1939 and he graduated from Bayard High School in 1950 where he enjoyed playing football. He also worked as a hired hand and as an ice man in the area. It was in high school where Joe’s penchant for youthful shenanigans and playing practical jokes was honed into what became a lifelong love for making others laugh.

Joe enlisted in the US Navy and served aboard the USS Kenneth Whiting ship, a seaplane tender, during the Korean conflict, from 1951 to 1955 as a cook.  He served overseas for 42 months out of Japan, Korea, Philippines, Hong Kong, Guam and Hawaii. While on leave in San Diego amongst a town full of sailors, he was chosen to represent a photographer’s ad with his picture. He also cooked for Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio when they entertained the ship. He was honorably discharged in 1955. He  enjoyed attending several ship reunions in recent years.

He then traveled around Iowa building salt houses for the highway commission before he began farming his parents’ farm.

In 1956 he met his wife, Dot, at the Starline ballroom in Carroll, and they were married on April 12, 1958 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jefferson. They are the parents of four children.  J. Britt (Becky), Kansas City, Kan. Kelly (Monte) Hagge, Urbandale, Brenda (Eric) Hildreth, El Paso, Texas, and Pam (Bill) Williams, Kansas City, Mo.  In 1959, they began farming SW of Jefferson until 2006 when they moved into Jefferson. Joe farmed and did custom work for farmers, worked in the winter time as a plumber’s helper and at Bordenaro’s grocery store. He also sold real estate. In the 80’s, his love of  back-road Iowa travel and meeting new people was fulfilled when he was hired as a crop adjuster for Old Republic Insurance.  He was later employed by Rain and Hail Insurance where he remained for decades training many new adjusters and establishing lifelong friendships. Four of these co-workers presented his eulogy.

After retirement, he and Dot enjoyed spending winters in southern California with friends, old and new, traveling to Germany, Italy, and Ireland and around the USA.

He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Jefferson Elks Lodge, and served on the county zoning board for many years. Joe helped to coach little league and was always ready to chaperone school activities. He worked with the Democratic Party and was invited into DC for the Jimmy Carter open house.  He also enjoyed the years that he taught senior catechism and the friendships with those kids.

His favorite things were dancing, cooking, playing cards, telling stories and laughing, attending grandkids activities and watching sports. Especially the Braves, Spurs, Packers and Hawkeyes and any opponent of the Auburn Tigers or the Fighting Illini!

The most beloved and treasured people in Joe’s life were his eight grandchildren: Joey and Jared Davis, Tim and Jessica Hagge, Jordan and Cody Hildreth, and Mackenzie and Eli Williams.

Joe died on April 10, 2015 at Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, Iowa following a hard fought battle against colon cancer and Parkinson’s disease.  His acceptance of his illness and his cheerful approach to treatment will stand forever as a legacy for his family, grandchildren and friends.  

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dot, four children, their spouses, eight grandchildren, five sisters: Mary Curl, Mickie Peterson, Ruth Shoulders, Lanore Pemble, and Madonna Bates, 37 nieces and nephews, nine god children and everyone he called his friend. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Helen Halterman and Loretta Evans and brother, Jack Davis, 5 brothers-in- law and a sister-in-law.

Celebration of life was held April 14, 11:00 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Jefferson. Burial will be at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Jefferson at a later date. Joe was especially honored with a goodbye song written by his son-in-law, Monte.

Honorary Casket Bearers where Joe’s eight grandchildren.

His favorite saying (from high school class): Live, Live for today for tomorrow may never come. If tomorrow comes, do nothing today to be sorry for tomorrow. Omar Khayyam.

He was a sunny, funny fellow. Not perfect, but well suited to us.