George Carver Davis, a beloved husband, father, and friend, died at his home, at the age of 69, on Tuesday, September 17, after a courageous four-year battle with cancer. George was the fourth of five children born to Curtis and Rebecca Davis on June 22, 1944, in Hillsboro. After graduating from Tennessee Valley High School in 1962, he attended Tuskegee University, where he completed a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He began his career at NASA, as an engineer at the George Marshall Flight Center in Huntsville. George left NASA in 1970, to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he matriculated a PhD in Thermodynamics, Mechanical Engineering in 1973, at the University of Michigan.
Named after George Washington Carver, George was destined to become a scientist, which led him to his trailblazing career as an engineer in the automotive industry. Initially after graduate studies, George worked at GM. Later he transitioned to the Ford Motor Company, where he developed his greatest achievements over a 31-year career. At Ford, he ascended the corporate ladder to become the Manager of Powertrain Research at Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. During his career, he was a two time recipient of the Henry Ford Technology Award. The Henry Ford Technology Award is the most prestigious technology award within Ford Motor Company. The second of these, he earned based on his outstanding innovation and contributions to Ford’s engine development, including Ford’s award-winning EcoBoost engine. George also holds numerous patents in his name. He retired from Ford in July, 2008.
George Davis was often invited to be a guest lecturer at various Collegiate Institutions such as, Oxford, MIT and his Alma Mater University of Michigan. He was also mentor for many young aspiring African American engineering students and sponsored many interns and researches at places such as Georgia Tech and Cal Tech.
George was married to Betty Griffin on June 10, 1967. To this union two children were born. She preceded him in death. He later married Charlotte MacLean, and to this union, one child was born. After a long courtship with Stacy Bingham, George married a third and final time, July 23, 2007. To this marriage two additional children were embraced by George.
He was dedicated to his family and always made time for God in his life and for his church. He served as a Deacon and Elder for many years at the Ypsilanti Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
George was preceded in death by his first wife and his parents. He leaves to mourn his beloved wife Stacy; his children, George II, Erika, Katherine Davis, Michael (RaShawn) Slater, and Jasmine Bingham; three grandchildren, Omar Davis, Kamaria, and Michael Slater; brothers, Curtis (Mary) Davis Jr. and James (Jen) Davis; sisters, Ruth McBride and Spruce (Kenneth)Storgaard; and a host of nieces, cousins and friends.
George will be fondly remembered as a great man, one whom remained the foundation of his family.
