Howard Davis, Jr., 78
Jan. 28, 1932 — Sept. 23, 2011
Howard C. Davis, Jr., 78, died Sept. 23, 2011.
Howard lived in Niles all of his life until relocating in retirement to Conroe, Texas in 2004. He was a graduate of Niles High School, Hillsdale College in
Hillsdale, Mich. and he attended McCormick Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill.
Howard was employed as the national sales manager and later, president, of Davis Products, Inc., founded in 1947 in Niles and relocated to Dowagiac in the 1980s. Davis Products was known nationally and internationally for the manufacture of fabricated metal compact kitchens. He also coached Little League baseball in Howard Township for six seasons.
In his early years, Davis was active in the First Presbyterian and Westminster Presbyterian churches of Niles. Davis was active in the growth of the Christian church and was a founding member of the former Church of the Savior, Reformed Church of America in Niles, where he served in numerous positions of leadership. Davis loved instrumental and choral music, actively participating in both choral and quartet singing.
Howard was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Lyn Davis, and their daughter, Kerry Longwell Hamilton, and her husband, Lane Hamilton, of Aurora, Colo.; his sons, Christopher J. Davis of Conroe, Texas and William “Bill” C. Davis of Castle Rock, Colo. He was grandfather to Lindsay, Lauren and Logan Hamilton; Spencer, Taylor and Peyton Davis; and Joshua C. Davis.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard C. and Anarose Davis; his maternal aunt and uncle, Art and Evelyn Mould; and uncle, Andrew McCormick. Extended family includes Kathleen McCormick and their children, Pat, Michael and Steve McCormick.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 1 in the Sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church at 13 South Fourth St., Niles at 10 a.m.
A reception in the church parlor will follow.
Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:11pm Wednesday, September 28, 2011