Richard Davis

Richard Omar Davis, age 96, of Edinboro, PA died at his home with his family around him on Saturday, August 11, 2018. He was born in Rochester, PA on May 19, 1922. His parents were Omar John Davis and Margaret Robinson Davis of Freedom, PA. He married Jean A. Davis of Beaver, PA in 1962. He served in World War II as a Cryptographer in the U.S. Army 895th Signal Company Depot Aviation. He was a message decoder and courier between Dinant and Namur during the Battle of the Ardennes. He qualified as a sharpshooter in machine gun, carbine and rifle. He was awarded battle stars for his participation in the five major battles of the war in the European theater: The Invasion of Normandy, The Battle for Northern France, The Battle for the Rhineland, The Battle of the Ardennes, and The Battle for Central Europe. He left the army as a Private First Class. Upon returning home in the Spring of 1945 he began his education culminating in a doctorate degree in Education from the University of Pittsburgh.

During his career, he taught at Freedom Public Schools, Point Park College, Westminster College, Indiana University of PA and Edinboro University of PA. He was named Professor Emeritus. He was a member of ABSCURF, Phi Delta Kappa, the Edinboro University History Club, the Edinboro Thursday Discussion Group, the Battle of the Bulge Association, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served as the Sunday school superintendent at the United Methodist Church in Freedom, PA for 12 years and a member of the Edinboro Methodist Church for 49 years. Upon retirement he attended many of the art classes offered at Edinboro University. For many years he enjoyed artistic pursuits and refinishing antique furniture. He also traveled widely in the United States and Europe. He attended the 50th and 60th anniversaries of D-Day and was a guest of the French Government in France for the 70th anniversary in 2014 where he was honored by the American and French military and the US Secretary of the Department of Defense.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jean A. Davis whom he met in a painting class in Beaver, PA in 1959. He is also survived by his four children; Dr. Meg Larson and her husband, Ron, of Edinboro and Holly Borland and her husband, Michael, of Sewickley; C. Lee Sheldrake of Erie and Laurie Showman and her husband, Gary, of Edinboro. Also surviving are five grandchildren; Deke Showman and his wife, Jennifer; Haley Atkins and her husband, Anthony; Spencer Larson; US Army PV2 Richard Borland and Georgiana Borland; and also three great grandchildren; Eli, Elsa and Ester Showman.

Richard was pre-deceased by three brothers; William J. Davis killed in Anzio Beach, Italy during WWII, Kenneth L. Davis, and Donald J. Davis and also his grandson, Keith Sheldrake.

The Glunt Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., Edinboro, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

The family will have a private memorial and interment in Edinboro Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Disabled American Veterans at www.DAV.Org. To send condolences please visit www.gluntfuneralhome.com.