John T. Davis

John T. Davis, 97, El Dorado Springs, passed away at KU Medical Center on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009. He was born on March 6, 1912, in the Birdsong community of St. Clair County, the fifth of nine children born to George W. and Sarah M. (“Sadie”) Davis.

John graduated in 1932 from El Dorado Springs High school. He played on the football state championship team his senior year and participated on the track team. He was known as a good athlete and was recruited to play football at the University of Missouri, but his responsibilities on the family farm kept him from accepting. After graduation, he worked on the family farm until he moved to California to find work during the depths of the Great Depression. He returned to Missouri in 1939 to help work the family farm outside of Cedar Springs.

John served in the Army during World War II, participating in the invasion of North Africa. He landed with the 9th Division at Safi, Morocco, and was captured by Axis troops on March 28, 1943, near El Guettar, Tunisia. He was able to escape from Italian POW camp PG 59 near the end of August 1943 and made it back to Allied forces on Feb. 27, 1944. He served the remainder of the war as a drill instructor at Camp Hood, TX, rising to the rank of Tech Sergeant. For his war service, John was awarded the Bronze Star, POW and Good Conduct Medals.

After John’s return to the states, he married Lorene Spencer, his wife of 58 years, on Dec. 26, 1944. Upon his discharge from the army, he returned to farming near Cedar Springs, before moving to Kansas City, where he worked at Owen Cornings Fiberglass for 21 years. Upon his retirement he moved back to El Dorado Springs in 1974.

During his retirement years, John enjoyed spending time with his family, especially the grandkids. He was the favorite of all his grandkids and the seat next to him at the kitchen table was reserved for the little ones when they visited. He enjoyed fishing and traveling, but his true passion was his garden. He was known as the “Tomato Man” around El Dorado Springs because of the home-grown tomatoes and other produce he sold from his house and at the local farmer’s market for over 30 years. He was a member of the El Dorado Springs Church of Christ and served as an elder in the church for many years.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Lorene; father, George W. Davis; mother, Sadie (Caton) Davis; sisters - Fern Davis, Gladys Stephens, Flora Kruzik, Georgia Garrett and Bessie Scatena; brothers - Ellis, Mark and Jessie; brothers-in-law, Edward and Edwin Spencer; and sister-in-law, Mary Lou Long.

John is survived by his three children - Linda Groom, and husband, Jerry - Harrisonville, Ruth Warstler, and husband, Richard - Dallas, GA, and Michael, and wife, Ruth - Harrisonville; brothers-in-law, Carroll Lee Spencer, and wife, Evelyn - Rantoul, KS, and Jim Spencer, and wife, Myrtle - El Dorado Springs; nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, as well as many nephews and nieces.

John was a hero and role model to all who knew and loved him. He will be greatly missed and will live forever in our hearts.
Services were held at the El Dorado Springs Church of Christ on Saturday, Oct. 17. Mike Pace officiated and music was provided by the Church of Christ Singers - Bud Eason, Joan Hardin, Cherise Hardin and Larissa Hardin. Interment followed in Clintonville Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were - Richard Eason, Bud Eason, Talon Hardin, John Warstler, David Warstler and Jacob Davis. Honorary pallbearers were Buril Hardin and Daniel Warstler.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of John Davis to Fair Haven Children’s Home.