Gene Davis

Retired Major Gene M. Davis, 84, of Mountain Home, died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008, at a Boise hospital.

A graveside inurnment, with military honors by American Legion Post #26, was held on Saturday, Aug. 16, at Mountain View Cemetery.

Gene was born on Dec. 25, 1923, in Lapeer, Mich. He was the second child of Ross and Isabel Davis.

Gene enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943 and was sent to Naval Boot Camp in Farragut, Idaho. Upon completion of boot camp he was sent to the Medical Corps School in San Diego, Calif. After his training he was stationed there at the Naval Hospital and detached to the Marine Corps on a temporary basis.

As a Pharmacist's Mate Second Class and Senior Corpsman with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, he made two landings in the Pacific during World War II. The first landing was on the island of Peleliu in 1944. His second landing was on Okinawa Island in 1945. From there the First Marine Division was sent to Peking, China. In 1945, he was assigned to the Discharge Center in San Jose, Calif. At that time he was honorable discharged from the Navy.

In 1946 he was granted a post-war diploma from Gladstone High School.

Gene joined the Army Air Corps in 1946 and later received a direct commission as a second lieutenant, serving as a medical supply officer.

Gene married Shirley Clerf of Ellensburg, Wash., on Feb. 5, 1951.

In 1970 Gene retired from the United States Air Force and moved his family to Idaho. There he worked for the Simplot Soilbuilders for 15 years as a credit manager until his second retirement in 1984.

He was a member of the American Legion Post #26 of Mountain Home.

Gene is survived by: his sons, Brad Davis of Boise, Steven and his wife, Julie Davis, of Twin Falls, Paul Davis of Aumsville, Ore., his sister, Joyce Aos of Gladstone, Mich., and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife and one brother.