Gradon Davis Sr.

CHAFFEE, Mo.-- Gradon Street Davis Sr., 87, of Chaffee died Thursday, May 13, 2004, at Chaffee Nursing Center.

He was born May 25, 1916, in Russellville, Ark., son of Joseph and Mary Elizabeth Dotson Davis. He and Mildred Brown Crowden were married Feb. 17, 1948.

Davis retired as a machine operator at Florsheim Shoe Co. in Chaffee. He was a member of General Baptist Church at Randles, Mo.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; four sons, Ray Crowden of House Springs, Mo., Charles Crowden and Gradon "Butch" Davis Jr. of Chaffee, Randy Davis of Henderson, Nev.; six daughters, Sue Reddish, Glenda Blue, Doris Parker, Debbie Cook and Norma Parker, all of Chaffee, Linda McDonough of Henderson; 38 grandchildren; 91 great-grandchildren; and 27 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, a great-grandson, a brother and a sister.

Friends may call at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee after 4 p.m. Friday.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the chapel, with the Rev. Bob Murray officiating. Burial will be in Union Park Cemetery with military rites to be conducted.