Burrel E. Davis Jr.

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Burrel E. Davis Jr. died Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004, at his home in Nevada. Born in Nevada's east end on July 29, 1927, he was the son of Burrel E. Sr. and Nellie Davis, Nevada, former Nevada grocers, councilman and chief of police. Both parents preceded him in death.

A Korean War Veteran, Davis retired from the U.S. Army after more than 21 years of service as a Signal Corpsman in countries throughout the world such as: Germany, Taiwan, China, Puerto Rico and numerous installations stateside. He retired a Staff Sergeant and was awarded the U.S. Army Commendation Medal.

On June 12, 1957, he married Lore E. Schule in Pirmasens, Germany. She preceded him in death on Nov. 13, 1993. He later married Mary Ann Boyle on March 19, 1994, in Nevada.

After retiring from the Army, Davis returned to Nevada where he worked at the former Nevada State Hospital for several years until finally retiring in the 1980s.

Davis leaves behind his loving wife of more than 10 years, Mary Davis, Nevada; a sister, Juanita Pearson, Nevada; one son, Michael F. Davis, Joplin; two daughters, Christina M. Davis, Nevada, and Katie S. Dodson, Willard. He is also survived by sons-in-laws, Sonny Dodson, Willard, Chris J. Cluck, Nevada, and William Hansell, Nevada; one stepdaughter, Diane Earll and her husband, Eddie, Nevada; one stepson, Bobby Boyle and his wife, Marry, El Dorado Springs; grandsons, Brian Hansell, Nevada, Niklaus Dodson, Willard; granddaughters, Angie Martin, Joplin, Anna Fragoso, Olathe, Kan., Cassandra and Ashley Dodson, Willard; six step grandchildren, Nikki Earl, Nevada, Dylan and Sabrina Boyle, El Dorado Springs; three great-grandchildren, Britni and Joseph Fragoso, Olathe, Kan., and Brianna Hansell, Nevada; and step-grandchildren, Cheryl, Chris Jr., and Jacob.

Davis was a long-standing member of the Nevada Elks Lodge No. 564 and Nevada Eagles Lodge No. 3770.

Burrel had a zest and passion for life. He loved his family and countless friends and enjoyed a lifetime of hunting, fishing and cooking and a beautiful life filled with kindness. We that are left in this world are better souls for having him in our lives.

Graveside services will be held in Moore Cemetery, Nevada, at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15, with Shelby Brandt officiating. Military rites will be conducted at the cemetery. Friends may call now and until 1 p.m. on Wednesday at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. The family receives friends 7-8 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Vernon County Cancer Relief Fund in care of Betty Easley, 167 Country Club Dr., Nevada, MO 64772.