G. Wayne Davis, 87, Sturgis, died Sunday, November 13, 2011, at Sturgis Regional Senior Care.

Wayne was born August 24, 1924, in Sturgis, SD, to Francis Gayl (Griffith) Davis and George A. Davis. Wayne attended schools in Sturgis, graduating from high school in 1942. Wayne was the first high school junior to attend SD's Boy's State. He attended SDSU in Brookings one year before army service and earned a BS Degree in Technical Agriculture (Wildlife Major) from SDSU after three years of service in the army.

Wayne took army basic instruction at Fort Bliss, TX, assigned to the 839th AAA (AW) Bn., an anti-aircraft artillery battalion. After a year in Texas, Wayne served overseas in the European Theater of Operations, traveling with his battalion through Belgium, France, Germany, and Austria. His battalion was assigned at various intervals to the First, Third, and Seventh Armies. He attained the noncommissioned rank of Technician Third Grade. Wayne was discharged in April, 1946.

Wayne married Mary Lou Brooks, his college sweetheart, October 15, 1949, in Aberdeen, SD.

Wayne's working career took many turns: Big Game Technician with the SD Dept. of Game, Fish & Parks, stationed in Lead, SD; Commercial Tire Salesman with Eddie's Tire & Glass in Deadwood; Mobil Oil Bulk Distribution Agent in Sturgis; Assistant Manager of the Black Hills, Badlands, and Lakes Association; and Business Manager for the Meade School District 46-1. He retired after 23 years with the school district in June 1986.

During a lengthy retirement period, Wayne and Mary Lou traveled by bus and RV to many parts of the United States. Wayne enjoyed hunting, fishing, coffee hour at the bakery, and card playing with friends, neighbors, and members of the Sturgis Senior Center. For eleven years, Wayne and Mary Lou spent ninety days during winters in Valle Del Oro RV Park near Mesa, AZ.

Wayne was a lifetime member of the Sturgis Presbyterian Church and also participated in several recreational and service organizations of Sturgis including the Key City Good Sam RV Club, the Sturgis Sno-Drifters Snowmobile Club, the Four-Wheeler Club of Sturgis, the VFW, JC's, Toastmaster's Club, past president of Rotary, and is a charter member and past president of the Sturgis Golden K Kiwanis Club. He was the 1976-77 president of SD Association of School Business Officials.

Survivors include his wife Mary Lou Davis, Sturgis; three sons, Kurt (Meri) Davis, Reno, NV, Rodney (Kimberly) Davis, Lead, SD, and Jerry Davis, Pueblo, CO; one daughter, Kathryn (Jesse) Lewis, Black Hawk, SD; seven grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Dale; and one sister, Mildred Davis Hale Coats.

Memorials have been established to the First Presbyterian Church and the Golden K Kiwanis Club of Sturgis.

Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with the family present at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.
A memorial service will be held Friday, November 18, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis with Rev. Denzel Nonhof officiating. Inurnment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard.