Obituary

Ernest Grandville Davis, 71

Ernie was born on September 5, 1928 in Hastings, Jefferson County, Oklahoma to Emmett G. and Mary L. Davis. Being one of four kids, he grew up working in the cotton fields to help his family. At the age of 16, he went to work as a heavy equipment operator for a company building the Air Force Base at Altus, Oklahoma. He later worked for his uncle in Texas and his brother-in-law, Robert Ford, in South Dakota.

Ernie came to Colorado to visit his mother and went to work for Monroe Terrell. While here, he met Ida Mae Parkes. They were married on October 22, 1950 in Raton, New Mexico, and on October 27, 1950 he was drafted into the United States Army through the Lamesa, Texas draft board.

Ernie and Ida Mae were blessed with the birth of seven children: Bernita, Carl, Russell, Mary, Erle Wayne, Chrystal and Angela. Upon his being drafted, he served in the Korean War from February 1951 to August 1952. After he returned from the Korean War, he served five years in the Army Reserve. At the time of his discharge in 1956, he had obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant. While in Korea he served with the Heavy Mortar Company, 23^rd Infantry Regiment, 2^nd Infantry Division. Of the medals he received during his tour of duty, he was most proud of his Combat Infantry Badge and his Bronze Star with a AV@ for valor. Although he rarely ever talked about it, he received his Bronze Star for dragging two of his comrades to safety under heavy fire and rendered medical aid to others.

Upon returning to Kit Carson, Ernie worked for Wood Automotive as a mechanic for seven years. He worked for several others in the area before opening and running his own repair shop for three years. He then went to work for Cheyenne County Road Department District 1. He worked for 28 years as a mechanic, operator and foreman.

During this time, Ernie served two terms on the City Council, became a key figure in the building of the Volunteer Fire Department and then served as fire chief. In 1993, he retired from the county and once again set up a small engine and lawn mower repair shop. He worked at this until his health would not let him continue.

Ernest left this world on November 21, 1999 at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colorado. He is preceded in death by his father and mother and his brother James Garland Davis. Ernest leaves fond memories to his wife of 49 years, Ida Mae of Kit Carson, his seven children: Bernita Nutt of Clovis, NM; Carl (Esther) Davis of Turpin, OK; Russell Davis of Julesburg, CO; Mary Hicks of Texico, NM; Erle Wayne Davis of Liberal, KS; Chrystal (Larry) Bryant of Reydon, OK and Angela Davis of Kit Carson, 12 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, 6 step grandchildren and 4 step great grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters: Christine Dean of Quitman, Arkansas and Bertha Ford of Deadwood, South Dakota as well as numerous nieces, nephews, AFoster@ kids and friends.

Funeral services for Ernest G. Davis were held on Friday, November 26, 1999 at the United Methodist Church in Kit Carson with Rev. Ralph Bullock officiating. Mrs. Marilyn Bullock served as pianist with Darrel and Kim Schallenberger serving as vocalists, singing ASoftly and Tenderly@ and AWhen The Roll is Called Up Yonder.@ Serving as casketbearers were the members of the Kit Carson VFW. Honorary casketbearers were Gene LaCost, Bill Kent, John Young, Ronald Ferris, as well as the entire Kit Carson Volunteer Fire Department. Graveside committal services were held at the Kit Carson Cemetery with the Kit Carson VFW providing military honors. Memorials may be made to the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind in Colorado Springs, or to the Kit Carson Volunteer Fire Department. Visitation and funeral services were handled by Brown Funeral Home.