DAVIS, George O.

Mohave Daily News, Mohave Valley, AZ - Published in Mohave Daily News Online from March 27 to April 3, 2011 - George O. Davis Jr., age 79, a 29 year resident of Bullhead City, died on Saturday, March 12, 2011, in Bullhead City, Ariz. of natural causes while looking forward to his 80th birthday. He was born on April 29, 1931, raised in Los Angeles, Calif., and graduated from Montebello High School in 1948. After graduation, he entered the U.S. Air Force and served in South Japan for three of the four-year enlistment, including one year during the Korean War. He attended Pasadena City College, and worked as a draftsman and machinist while raising four children in LaPuente, Calif. He was a member of the West Covina Jaycees, and served as President in 1960-63, where one of his major accomplishments was getting the F-86D Saberjet placed in Palmview Park in West Covina to be used as playground equipment for children. In 1964, he moved his family to Indiana to manage the Engineering Dept. of a store fixture manufacturer. He returned to Covina, Calif., before moving his family to Bullhead City in 1969, where he worked at Katherine Landing. His oldest son, George III, graduated with the first class at Mohave High School in 1971. In 1972 until 1982, he moved back to Los Angeles, worked for a large lighting manufacturing company, and was promoted to plant manager. He married Barbara in 1977, and they opened Bullhead Lighting in the Marina Plaza in 1981. After the plant closure in 1982, they moved to Bullhead City permanently. During that time he was also a business partner in Southwest Tank and Supply, and an auto repair business. He served the community as President of the Marina Merchants Association, Director of the BHC Chamber of Commerce, and he was a member of the BHC Rotary Club. He had many hobbies, including building radio-controlled airplanes and cars, wood-working, and building his and Barbara's house - including BBQ's and natural rock retaining walls. He loved gardening, camping, fishing, boating, and off-road trips, as well as having fires in the fire pit. He was an avid reader and history buff, and loved debating politics. He could fix almost anything! He was proud to say he could speak three languages: "English, sarcasm and profanity." He was preceded in death by his parents, George Sr. and Pauline Davis; his sister, Ruth Malloy; two grandsons, Billy and Justin (who was one of twelve killed in a helicopter crash while training at Nellis AFB in 1998). He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Barbara; four plus two children; six granddaughters; five great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and three of his nine Whippet pals. Family and friends gathered at his home on March 19, 2011, for a celebration of his life. His bantering, humor and stories are already greatly missed.