(Aug. 25, 1917-Nov. 6, 2010)Ralph K. Davies, formerly of Powell, died Nov. 6, 2010, in Tifton, Ga. He was 93.
Ralph was born in Newcastle, Pa., to James Earl Davies and Rose Marie Kahrer. After college, he enlisted in the Army.
Lieutenant Davies earned the Purple Heart and Silver Star for wounds sustained in combat as well as saving the lives of men under his leadership in the 143rd Infantry Regiment in February 1945.
Following his recovery and discharge, Ralph and his wife Virginia settled in Berea, Ohio. He taught high school for one year and then became a well-respected and loved chemistry professor at Baldwin Wallace College, where he was a positive influence on generations of students and was recently honored by having the new Davies Commons named after him.
In 1971, he and Ginny moved to Powell, after falling in love with the area during an earlier trip. Ralph worked with the tax collectors office part-time before retiring completely.He and Ginny enjoyed rock-hunting around Powell and also used it as a home base for traveling all over the West. They were not just passive travelers, however; they wanted to learn new things, too.
They both learned to carve, a hobby Ralph continued until just the last few years of his life.
Ralph loved to play music, especially the keyboard, and also the zither. He not only enjoyed his hobbies — he believed in sharing those talents with others. When he moved to Carrollton, Ga., in 2001, he participated in the carving club at the Senior Center and did carving demonstrations for schoolchildren during the Heritage Days celebration several years. He even organized a Hillbilly Band that traveled to local retirement homes to entertain the residents. In 2010, Ralph moved to Tifton, Ga., to be closer to family. In his short time there, he endeared those around him.
Ralph was full of life, love and laughter, right up to his final days. No one could meet him without being drawn in and affected by his wonderful way with people. He was friendly to everyone and very rarely found himself speechless. He was patient, kind, wise and very intelligent.
He felt his family was the most important thing in life and was happiest when surrounded by them. Ralph was a beloved husband, father and grandfather.
Ralph was preceded in death by the love of his life, Virginia deStanley Davies, and their only son, Jeffrey Ralph Davies.
Survivors include his daughter-in-law, Lyn Davies; three grandchildren, Heather Middleton (Rocky), Hope Strickland (Stephen) and Patrick Davies (Jennifer); and six great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations can be made to the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center, PO Box 532, Carrollton, GA 30112.