Doyle Daniel Davis, Ii

Doyle Daniel Davis II, a resident of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, and native of Charleston, West Virginia, also fondly known as Dan to his many friends, left the Earth on January 17, 2021. Dan bravely battled a host of health issues over the past fifteen years, all of which linked backed to his time as a soldier in the Vietnam War, where he and many other young soldiers were exposed to the toxic Agent Orange chemical. Over the last two years, Dan lived life to the fullest despite his Stage IV Cancer diagnosis in May 2019. In true Dan style, he wrestled that enemy with all he had. His last breath was taken at home, in the loving company of his precious family.

Dan was a grateful father of five children, eight grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren:
•Daughter Kimberly (Mother Joyce Williams), married to Buddy Haas, with two children, Dusty and Tara, and four grandchildren;
•Son Dale (Mother Joyce Williams), married to Julie Davis, with three children, Zachary, Emily, and Samuel, and four grandchildren;
•Daughter JoBeth (Mother Joyce Williams), single, with three children, Sydney, Zachary, and RayLynn, and four grandchildren;
•Son D. Daniel Davis (Mother Lori Paletta-Davis), single at the time of his death on September 7, 2019, at the age of 25; and,
•Son John-Glen Davis (Mother Lori Paletta-Davis), single.
Also surviving are Dan's younger sister Pam Davis, his stepfather Glendin Shamblin, both of Charleston, West Virginia, and many other relatives and friends worldwide.

Many beloveds greeted Dan in Heaven including: his father Doyle Daniel Davis, World War II Veteran; his mother Nelle (Kester) Davis Shamblin; and his son D. Daniel Davis (Daniel). They were all so happy to welcome Dan. Dan and Daniel immediately embraced and went to the Heavenly Fishing Hole, where they spend much time with Jamaica Fudge, Simba, Winston, Kyrra Ice, Maximus, and Comet Scorsese, our beautiful family pets in Heaven.

Dan lived a life rich in service to his county and community, never sacrificing his love for his family in the process. Dan was a one-of-a-kind person, who appreciated every single individual he met, regardless of their place in life, always taking away some lesson which surfaced in his own life.

Dan's life of service commenced when he joined the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles, United States Army. His time as a Screaming Eagle took him to the front line of the Vietnam War when he was just 19 years old. Like many of his soldier comrades, this experience forever impacted Dan's soul and molded his perspective on life; and the Agent Orange that he encountered in the jungle affected his body and ultimately claimed his life through the cancer that it helped to create. Dan's death was service connected, like the lives of so many of his comrades, who he fondly and often remembered and referred to as his "brothers".

After returning from Vietnam, Dan jumped in to working full-time and raising a family-of-three children while achieving his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from West Virginia State in the Charleston WV area. Most of Dan's early career was in field of facility maintenance management, starting in the chemical manufacturing industry for FMC in Charleston WV where he worked for over fifteen years. Dan's career next progressed to the paper manufacturing industry where he spent nearly ten years with three companies (Tenneco, Rock Tenn, and Ivex). Dan then worked in the energy industry (AMP Ohio) where he spent another three years. These career maintenance positions took Dan from his native West Virginia to Ohio and California. Dan always made it a point to enjoy the places and people in his life, and he especially enjoyed the beauty of Northern California, especially his visits to the local card room. Dan made many friends along the way. He was a cautiously welcoming soul always eager to share a story and learn about the experiences of those he met.

On September 22, 1990, Dan married the love of his life, Lori Paletta-Davis (who survives), at the Paletta family homestead in her native Carmichaels, Greene County, Pennsylvania. Dan and Lori bought their first house together in Cleveland, Ohio, but in the mid-1990's when Dan tried his hand as owner-operator of the Davis-Paletta Beer Distributor business in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, they relocated to Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, where they created a magnificent life together, full of love, raising their two sons, tackling life's challenges, and thoroughly enjoying life's adventures. Although a die-hard, native West Virginian, Dan certainly made himself at home in Greene County, Pennsylvania.

In 1999, Dan found his way to SCI Greene, maximum security Pennsylvania State correctional facility, starting with a brief assignment as a Corrections Officer and quickly moving to administration. When Dan retired from SCI Greene in 2011, he held the position of Superintendent's Assistant, a job he absolutely and unequivocally loved. Dan often reflected that he wished he had spent his entire career in corrections … that is how much he enjoyed what he described as very important work alongside a great team of professionals. Dan took great pleasure in being an integral part of administering justice through his work with the Superintendent and administrative staff, corrections officers, inmates, local law enforcement and attorneys, and the judiciary. Dan exemplified a decisive, dedicated, firm, caring approach to his work and toward the people of SCI Greene. He very sadly and reluctantly ended his tenure through disability retirement as the long-term effects of his Agent Orange exposure ravaged his body and health.

During these years, Dan served the community in numerous ways. Among his favorite projects were serving on the Franklin Township Planning Commission and helping in any way possible with the Waynesburg University and Waynesburg Central High School football teams. Dan savored and appreciated these moments. It gave him a forum to help, and a way to stay close to his sons Daniel and John-Glen as they participated in their football activities.

Dan's 73 years of life were deeply touched and inspired by his five children, and their families. Dan was a man with few hobbies, but there is no denying that Dan was a tinkerer, through and through. No matter the weather or season, Dan would be building, fixing, or figuring-out something. The cold and snow did not keep Dan from using and working on the roof, one of his mowers, or some other tinkering-tasks. Those close to Dan will distinctly remember him sharing his mechanical and tinkering knowledge as he would so very often beckon us with a demonstration of how-to-fix this or that, be it simple or complex, useful or … always useful. The treasures of duct tape, bungee cords, flashlights, super glue, and many other like-type items that Dan left behind in all corners of the house and sheds, say it all.

Dan is so very loved and missed by many. He keeps watch over all of us. Dan gave us respect, love, support, and many life-lessons. His final act of giving was donation of his body to science. It warms us to know that his beautiful blue eyes, the gateway into his soul, are providing sight to two human beings. There is no more pain for Dan, only peace. For that, and the wonderful gift of Dan in our lives, we extend eternal gratitude to God.

Dan's place of interment will be the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies located at 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville PA 15017, where a memorial service will be held in Dan's honor at 2:30 P. M. on Thursday, August 5, 2021, his seventy-fourth birthday. There will be a tailgate celebration of Dan's life following the service at VFW Post 4793 located at 445 East Lincoln Street, Waynesburg PA 15370, starting under the pavilion at 5:30 P.M. All are welcome.

Additionally, if you would like to make a gift in Dan's name, please call or text Lori at 724-833-5413, or email to [email protected] . Among the appropriate causes include Agent Orange Awareness, Education, and Veteran Recognition.