Ernest Davis

Ernest Veon Davis
1934 - 2018

Ernest Veon Davis passed away on August 11, 2018, at the age of 83 in San Antonio, Texas. His final day was spent surrounded by family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Cummings Davis and Dollie Frances Turner Davis; his daughter, Barbara Davis Downing; ten brothers and sisters, James Davis, Clarence Davis, Claude Davis, Lee Davis, Dee Davis, Eugene Davis, Virgie Dove, Lucille Dove, Beulah Hash, and Irene Hayden; and two half-siblings, Charlie Davis and Blanche Sneed.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Rose Karcher Davis; his daughter, Teresa (Zoomer) Szuminski; son-in-law, David (Sandra) Downing; grandchildren, Jason (Molly) Szuminski, Sarah (Clinton Haby) Szuminski, Heather Szuminski, Danielle (Dean) Simpson, Tyler (Tara) Downing, and Allison Downing; five great-grandchildren, Eli, Remi and Liam Simpson, Madison Szuminski, and Tanner Downing; siblings-in-law, Mildred Davis, Martha Hamel, Edna and Bill Burge, Leroy and Celia Karcher; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ernest was born October 20, 1934, in Elgood, West Virginia, where he created fond memories growing up on his family's farm alongside his many siblings. The family later moved and settled in Marion, Virginia. He met his wife, Rose, while stationed in Victoria, Texas, where they were married January 11, 1954. They later welcomed two daughters, Teresa and Barbara.

A veteran of the Korean War, he proudly served his country as Sergeant in the Air Force and was a retired reservist. He spent his career in the crash crew fire department at Naval Air Service Chase Field in Beeville for nearly 30 years, where he retired as Assistant Chief.

Ernest was involved in the Beeville community for more than 50 years, serving as Fire Commissioner and a pioneer of the Beeville volunteer ambulance service. He was a member of The Veterans of Foreign Wars and The American Legion.

He will be lovingly remembered by family and friends as a hardworking man of many talents and hobbies. A licensed real estate broker and handyman, he renovated, rented and sold properties in his spare time. Ernest spent several years in retirement raising cattle on his ranch in Beeville and had special interests in carpentry and history. He also was a graduate of Bee County College.

Ernest was baptized into the Catholic faith in 1973 and was an involved member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Beeville, where he served on the parish council. He was more recently a parishioner of Shrine of St. Padre Pio Catholic Church in San Antonio, after moving there in 2009 to be closer to family.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, August 18, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Beeville, Texas.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated there at 11 o'clock that morning, followed by a graveside service at Beeville Memorial Park. Arrangements are being handled by Galloway and Sons Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Zoomer Szuminski, Jason Szuminski, David Downing, Tyler Downing, Clinton Haby and Dean Simpson.

The family would like to thank Autumn Leaves of Stone Oak, Heart to Heart Hospice, and personal caregivers Nina Sanchez and Diana Cardiel for their loving care in Ernest's final months.

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