Published in The Yuma Sun on June 26, 2013 -
Ronello Melzar "Mel" Davis passed away on June 23, 2013 at his home in Yuma, Arizona. He was born in Ambrose, North Dakota on April 2, 1927 to Ronello and Edith (Lahlum) Davis.
After graduating from North Dakota State University, Mel spent three years teaching Vocational Agriculture. He spent the next 30 years working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, where he rose through the ranks retiring as Administrator of the SCS.
Mel was a life member of B.P.O.E. # 476 Yuma; a Life member of the Soil and Water Conservation Society of America and a charter member of Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church in Yuma.
He spent 1 ½ years in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He graduated high school in 1945 and from NDSU in 1949. Through his SCS career he completed many hours of advance training. He received a Distinguished Alumni award from NDSU, a Superior Service award from USDA, and a Fellow from the SWCSA.
In his earlier years, Mel loved gardening, woodworking, stained glass making, and all forms of dancing. With the help of his family he remodeled a 150 year old schoolhouse in Pennsylvania for his retirement. He was a runner before it was trendy and was a member of a local exercise club. He loved playing cards with friends and family, traveling the world over during his career and with his family, golfing, and especially visiting with friends.
Mel is survived by his wife, Marilyn; son, Ron Davis of Yuma; daughter, Dawn (Jack) Gregerson of San Diego, CA; sister-in-law, Stella (Melgaard) Davis of Bremerton, WA. Grandchildren, Christopher (Kelsey), Brian (Beth), Elliot (Ashley) and Chelsea as well as five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mel was preceded in death by his father, Ronello Davis; mother, Edith (Lahlum) Davis; step-mother Ellen (Christianson-Tate) Davis; brother, Richard Davis; infant brother, Donald Duane Davis; sisters, Florence Raap, Lorna Nelson and Lucille Chinn.
Internment will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND at the convenience of the family, with a memorial to be held at Gloria de Cristo in Yuma in November.
Donations can be made to Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church Building Fund, Yuma, and/or Hospice of Yuma.
(Veteran status provided by contributor "Shelburn Wilkes", #46921970)
Published in The Yuma Sun on June 26, 2013 -
Ronello Melzar "Mel" Davis passed away on June 23, 2013 at his home in Yuma, Arizona. He was born in Ambrose, North Dakota on April 2, 1927 to Ronello and Edith (Lahlum) Davis.
After graduating from North Dakota State University, Mel spent three years teaching Vocational Agriculture. He spent the next 30 years working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, where he rose through the ranks retiring as Administrator of the SCS.
Mel was a life member of B.P.O.E. # 476 Yuma; a Life member of the Soil and Water Conservation Society of America and a charter member of Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church in Yuma.
He spent 1 ½ years in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He graduated high school in 1945 and from NDSU in 1949. Through his SCS career he completed many hours of advance training. He received a Distinguished Alumni award from NDSU, a Superior Service award from USDA, and a Fellow from the SWCSA.
In his earlier years, Mel loved gardening, woodworking, stained glass making, and all forms of dancing. With the help of his family he remodeled a 150 year old schoolhouse in Pennsylvania for his retirement. He was a runner before it was trendy and was a member of a local exercise club. He loved playing cards with friends and family, traveling the world over during his career and with his family, golfing, and especially visiting with friends.
Mel is survived by his wife, Marilyn; son, Ron Davis of Yuma; daughter, Dawn (Jack) Gregerson of San Diego, CA; sister-in-law, Stella (Melgaard) Davis of Bremerton, WA. Grandchildren, Christopher (Kelsey), Brian (Beth), Elliot (Ashley) and Chelsea as well as five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mel was preceded in death by his father, Ronello Davis; mother, Edith (Lahlum) Davis; step-mother Ellen (Christianson-Tate) Davis; brother, Richard Davis; infant brother, Donald Duane Davis; sisters, Florence Raap, Lorna Nelson and Lucille Chinn.
Internment will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND at the convenience of the family, with a memorial to be held at Gloria de Cristo in Yuma in November.
Donations can be made to Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church Building Fund, Yuma, and/or Hospice of Yuma.
(Veteran status provided by contributor "Shelburn Wilkes", #46921970)
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