- Date Of Birth: January 15, 1952
- Date Of Death: September 12, 2021
- State: Iowa
Mark Davis passed away on September 12, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, with his wife and eldest son by his side.
Mark Vernon Davis was born on January 15th, 1952 to Lois Dean Barker and Billie Zane Davis in Albia, Iowa. Mark is survived by his wife of 50 years Diana Davis (Robnett). Mark was a proud father of three adult children Michael (Amy), Scott (Lucretia), Anne (Travis), and one grandson that he was raising as his own, Jakob. Mark was also a proud grandfather to Cayden, Brynn, Jace, Tristen, Ashlyn, Felicia, Cheryl, Kelsey, Richard and 10 great grandchildren, and two nieces and one nephew. Mark has two sisters, Cindy Petska and Marlois Davis.
When growing up, Mark played basketball, football, baseball, golf, and ran track at Albia High School in Iowa. He also met the love of his life, Diana in High School. Mark couldn’t imagine living his life without her, so he asked her to marry him. They were wed in July of 1972. He graduated from William Penn College in 1974 with his degree in History. Mark and Diana began growing their family in 1974. Mark worked for SuperValue and Fleming Wholesalers. He ended his work career working for AWG as a Wholesale Manager, and started his retirement in 2017.
Mark was a family man and spent most of his days during his children’s younger years coaching them in sports, working with them on handyman projects, shooting hoops in the driveway, and fishing. He didn’t miss an opportunity to be at his kids’ games, dance recitals, or events. He would use his great sense of humor and quality dad skills to scare his kids after they would see a scary movie together. He also loved taking time with his kids while sitting outside listening to the oldies. Mark went on some special vacations with his family to Silver Dollar City, Florida, Colorado, and most recently Key West to see his son get married.
Mark enjoyed playing golf for many years. His family moved with his job at times. He and his family lived in Des Moines, Iowa; Shawnee, Kansas; Maple Grove, Minnesota; Lubbock, Texas; Edmond Oklahoma, and most recently Waukee, Iowa. Mark would be the first to say that his favorite home was in Edmond.
Mark was an avid Oklahoma Sooners fan, and a smart ass. Mark was a simple man, he enjoyed watching TV, playing games on his phone, and relaxing in a chair outside. You could always find his dog Boomer on his lap in his chair. Mark was very proud of his yard. Every 4th of July he held a tradition of treating his yard to his special beer concoction until the fall. It, “worked like a charm”, according to Mark, which it most certainly did! Mark enjoyed the simplicities in life, and was happy if his family was happy. He gave great advice, and was turned to on many occasions for it. Mark had a special way of always, “making things better”. He was a wonderful and loving support for his family and could always be counted on.
Mark was a supportive husband and loved Diana’s family as his own. He has made many friends along the way. Mark would talk fondly of the memories he had of his family and his friends. It is safe to say that he led a full life, and was very proud of the family that he and Diana created. Mark would not want others to be sad that he is gone, he would want them to have a barbeque and remember the happy memories that they shared. He leaves a legacy of being a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, and friend. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
