Richard "Rick" Owen Davis Sr.

Richard Owen Davis, Sr., 80, passed away on September 27, 2024. He was the husband to Melinda Haywood Davis, Maryville, Tennessee, and they shared 23 years of adventures together. Rick was father to Michelle Davis Webb, Richard O. Davis, Jr. and wife, Lara E. Gill, and Hannah Brock and husband Scott Brock. Rick was also Papaw to Andrew Davis and wife Erin, Sarah Davis, Jared Webb, Eli and Landon Brock, and great-granddaughter, Parker Davis. Born in Clarksburg, West Virginia on April 16, 1944, he was the son of the late Jennings and Hilda Davis, and the youngest of 4 children. He was preceded in death by sister Georgia Stevens and is survived by sisters LaDonna Davis and Sherry Simons. Rick graduated class of 1962 from Roosevelt-Wilson High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was a Titan II silo Missile Technician in Wichita, Kansas. He returned to West Virginia in 1968 where he began his career in telecommunications. In 1978, Rick moved to Maryville, Tennessee, continuing his telecommunications career that spanned 46 years. He was an active volunteer in the Telephone Pioneers of America and the recipient of national awards while also holding multiple executive offices. Rick and Melinda were active members of Maryville Church of Christ. He loved his church family, and especially spending time with the breakfast club. Rick and Melinda enjoyed traveling all over the United States. Rick also loved photography, hiking, golf, history and Disney’s Grumpy. He loved all sports, was a huge UT fan and took special pleasure in coaching and watching his children and grandchildren play sports. A celebration of this man’s wonderful life will be held on October 13, 2024, 1:30pm-4:00pm EST at Maryville Church of Christ, located at 611 Sherwood Drive, Maryville, TN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Church of Christ Disaster Relief Fund. Condolences may be shared through Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com