Sam L. Davis, 84, passed away on Monday, September 23, 2013, due to heart complications following surgery.
He was born October 24, 1928, in Huntsville, where he had lived his entire life except for time spent in school and the military. Sam attended Huntsville High School his freshman year, and graduated from Columbia Military Academy in 1947. He is also a graduate of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953, spending most of that time in Germany. Sam retired from government service after 40 years, with the majority of that time spent at Marshall Space Flight Center. After retiring, Sam occupied his time with fishing, tennis, and volunteering. He was a dedicated volunteer for Burritt on the Mountain, Meals on Wheels, and the Grocery Assistance Program (GAP). Sam was also a member of Faith Presbyterian Church, and a longtime supporter of the Huntsville Symphony.
Sam loved his family. He also loved fishing, tennis, and his alma mater, the University of Alabama. He either fished or played tennis almost daily, and visited the university as often as he could.
Survivors include his wife, Esther Davis; his son, Samuel E. “Eddie” Davis and his wife, Dianne Johnson Davis of Decatur; his beloved grandson, Nicholas Davis of Durham, N.C.; his niece, Brenda Carraway of Birmingham; stepchildren, Elayne Shelton of Alabama, Russell Shelton of Texas, and Sharon Sanders of Louisiana.
Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2013, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. A service will follow immediately, officiated by Dr. Tom Lovell, Pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church. There will be a private family interment in Maple Hill Cemetery afterwards.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Downtown Rescue Mission, 1400 Evangel Drive, Huntsville, AL 35816 or to the Burritt Museum, 3101 Burritt Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801.
