Benjamin Rogers Davis Sr. 81 formerly of Tallahassee Florida died at his Ormond Beach home on Veterans Day November 12 2007. He was a WWII Veteran and one of two surviving Navy "frogmen" (Underwater Demolition Team) currently known as the Navy Seals. His service culminated in the Pacific Theater at the end of the war as part of the first group to land from an LST in Tokyo Harbor after the Japanese surrender. Prior to his Navy service he attended Bolles Military Academy in Jacksonville FL. After WWII he attended Florida State University and Auburn University graduating with a BS in Agricultural Science. Although retiring from the State of Florida with 20 years of service his notable career included Agricultural Land Development Manager for Ayavalla Plantation the Sugar Ranch and the King Ranch as well as a Certified Life Underwriter. He was also active in the successful political campaigns of Florida Gov. Ferris Bryant Sec of State Tom Adams Sec of Agriculture Doyle Conner Comptroller Fred "Bud" Dickinson and Gov Reuben Askew. He served as a State Vice President and National Director of the Florida Jaycee's a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 3800 Ormond Beach since 1993 the Loyal Order of Moose Daytona Beach Lodge 1263 since 1995 and a 45 year member of the Elks Club. He also held the office of Vice President of Vanguard Commercial Realty Ormond Beach and Tallahassee. Born in Miami Florida reared in Madison Florida he was the son of the late Dr. George O. and Elida Bergstrom Davis. A passionate outdoorsman he loved teaching about Florida history and family wildlife navigating various streams rivers and lakes outdoor sports and hunting and fishing. He passed this along to his cousin's Charlie and Bob McClure and his nephew George Davis earlier in their lives and later to his own children and grandchildren as well. Ben "Pop" to more than just his children is survived by his former wife of 43 years June Jensen Davis of Tallahassee and Holly Hill FL; daughter Sarah Davis Vandagriff and Oliver her husband; son Benjamin R. Davis Jr. and Mary Beth his wife; daughter Margaret "Missy" Davis Whiddon and her husband "Dr. Scottie"; daughter Kathryn Davis Dilworth and her husband James; Son-in-law Phil Carter of Tallahassee and grandchildren Brian Carter and wife Krystal of Bainbridge GA; John Vandagriff of Tallahassee and Ormond Beach; James and Christine Dilworth of Tallahassee; Travis Carter of Tallahassee; and Crystal Davis of Ormond Beach; and great-grandchild Clayton Carter of Bainbridge GA; a nephew George O. Davis Jr. of Beaufort SC; and cousins Robert and Charles McClure of Tallahassee. Mr. Davis is also survived by his former wife of five years Geraldine Davis Apgar of Ormond Beach.
A memorial service will be held at Lohman Funeral Home Ormond Beach at 1:00 pm Friday November 16 2007. Funeral services will be held at St. Johns Episcopal Church Tallahassee FL at 3:30 pm Sunday November 18 2007 where he was a member since 1964. Interment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Kiwanis Club of Daytona Beach Foundation for local children PO Box 4235 Ormond Beach FL 32175 MooseHeart or to West Florida Teen Challenge a Christian Mission to help youth with life-controlling problems become established in society through faith-based mentoring counseling education and job training 1213 Hope Lane Bonifay FL 32425. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Ormond.