John U. Davis

January 01, 1970

of Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community in Cranberry Twp., formerly Bethany, WV and Emerald Isle, NC died Monday, November 3, 2014 following a short hospitalization. John was the beloved husband of 57 years of Marianne Stickrath Davis. He was the loving father of Martha (Charlie) Mitchell and Beth (Glenn) Jacks and a dear grandfather, “Papa,” of Robbie and Mary Beth Mitchell and Alan, Lindsey, and Halle Jacks. John was the brother of deceased Robert Davis, Mary Kupsky, Jean Kaiser, and Gretta Johnson.

Born on May 31, 1931, in Norristown, PA, son of Myles Emmet and Evelyn Ulrich Davis. John grew up in Indiana, PA where he attended Indiana State Teachers College until his National Guard unit was activated during the Korean Conflict. After completing Officer Candidate School he served in the 1st Calvary in Hokkaido, Japan.

He received his BA from Bethany College, WV in 1956 and taught elementary school in Ohio and Connecticut. After completing his MA and Ed.D at Columbia University, he served as an elementary school principal in Monroe, NY. In 1966, John returned to Bethany as Professor of Education. Following a sabbatical in Oxford, England, he co-authored Moral Education in Theory and Practice in1975. John encouraged his students to acquire knowledge independently, while affirming their creativity and potential and skillfully guiding them by his mentorship and life-long relationships. He retired from Bethany in 1993 to work for NASA, editing computer programs for the Classroom of the Future. In retirement, John continued to actively affect others in much the same way by utilizing his visionary skills, leadership and enthusiasm for educating and supporting others.

While living in Emerald Isle, NC, he volunteered as a Guardian ad Litem, co-founded the Crystal Coast Canoe and Kayak Club, and was active in many ecological efforts. He was a founding parishioner and Vestry member at St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church.

After moving to Sherwood Oaks in 2007, John continued to make a difference within his community through many volunteer efforts. He also served as President of the Residence Association from 2010-2012.

John often downplayed his positive impact on others, deflecting their praise by declaring, “I did what I could.” In reality, he did far more.

There will be no visitation. Celebrations of John’s life are being planned for Spring 2015 in Bethany, WV and Emerald Isle, NC. Memories, photos and messages to the family can be left at www.DevlinFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sherwood Oaks Scholarship Fund, 100 Norman Drive, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066; Bethany College, Bethany, WV 26032; or the charity of one’s choice.