Rodger "Papaw" Gayle Davis

      Rodger Gayle "Papaw" Davis, 72, passed away Saturday January 2nd, 2021 at his home in Mansfield, Ohio. Rodger was born August 28th, 1948 to Clyde and Darlene Davis in Olive Hill, Kentucky. He graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1966 before proudly serving in The United States Army from 1968-1970.

     Rodger is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Lynda Kay Davis, along with two children; Robin (Gary) Pruitt, Brian (Jeannetta) Davis; sister Carolyn Sue Dean of Denver, Colorado; five grandchildren Aaron (Hayley) Davis, Luke Pruitt, Chesney Davis, Chloe Davis, and Grady Davis; and one great grandchild Ariah Davis. Rodger was a loving father, husband, grandfather, and friend to everyone.

     After returning home from the US Army, Rodger became well known in the area with his dedication to bowling where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in April 2008. In 1985 after being told he only had a few years left to live due to a severe heart condition, Rodger humbly turned his life over to the Lord and joined the Dean Road Freewill Baptist Church where he dedicated his life and taught his family to put God above all things. Rodger was always there when you needed him and loved being with his family whether it be yearly trips to Myrtle Beach, going to Ohio State football and Cleveland Indians baseball games, or just taking a long walk with them looking for coins and telling stories or playing his favorite songs to his kids and grandkids. Rodger could always be found riding in the backseat to any one of his grandchildren’s games or events, always with a joke and a smile. He would be seen working out daily, and constantly training and bringing out the best in his grandchildren, always leading by example. Never meeting a stranger, Rodger touched so many lives along his journey always making those around him feel special and not only letting them know he was there but actually being there for them.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 at Werner-Gompf Funeral Home 1106 Park Avenue East, Mansfield, Ohio, 44905 on Thursday, January 7th. Funeral services will be 11:00 on Friday, January 8, 2020, at Werner-Gompf Funeral Home with Reverend Earl Tackett officiating. Rodger will be laid to rest at Mansfield Memorial Park in Ontario, Ohio.

Online condolences at www.wernergompf.com

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