OBITUARY Print
Lt. Col. O.J. Davis, Jr. USAF
May 22, 1945 - March 21, 2021
As his wife and best friend for over 50 years, I will try to pay tribute to a devoted husband, father and dedicated decorated Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross Air Force pilot having defended our country during the Vietnam era and all over Europe. Not to leave out his outstanding Kenwood Realty where he made many friends helping them with their homes. He was born in Chicago leaving at an early age with his missionary parents and 2 younger sisters for the Belgium Congo. He and his sisters were immersed for over 13 years in French speaking school and learned the African language of Lingali. After returning to the United States he enrolled in high school as a junior. Later, he graduated from Cal Berkley on an ROTC scholarship. Pilot training in Texas and first assignment as a young LT. to Eglin AFB as part of the 33rd TFW and the Nomads. That’s where I come in, having moved to Eglin with Southern Airways, we met 2 weeks later at a ski party. The rest is history. Our parents preceded him flying to Heaven. He is survive by “HIS” Sandy and son Cory’s family, Courtney, Cooper and Chloe. Brad’s family Victoria, Frankie & Finley. His sisters Patti (Darrell) & Christine (Chuck) and numerous nieces and nephews in California & Georgia. Three stories come to mind, his running barefoot thru the jungle in Africa hunting with the locals which did not sit well with his mom, the day he landed in his F-15 at Bitburg AFB Germany when a French reporter arrived to interview him speaking broken English and OJ responded in fluent French. And of course the day he was shot down in Laos not yet seen his oldest 6 month old Cory and was heroically rescued by Bud & Mike in their maintenance test hop no gas no weapons helicopter. He wanted no fanfare, he was a simple giant in my world and I will miss him forever. Love You forever, Sandy, Cory and Brad their families and our precious Golden Sunny.
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Services
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Davis-Watkins - Fort Walton Beach
113 Racetrack Road, N.E., Fort Walton Beach, FLTribute Wall
1 tree planted in memory of O. J.
Bonita Lawhon
April 12, 2021 3:57 PMMr. Davis was my realtor when I sold my home. He made a lasting impression as he was the kindest, most professional realtor. Please accept my condolences to his family as I know he will be so missed.
Bud Kirschbaum
April 1, 2021 3:48 PMOJ has been my hero for 49 years. From the day we met in a clearing in Laos he was always there, always someone I could depend on for counsel and advice. My life has been richer for having had him as a friend. A true brother.
Bud Kirschbaum
Candy Peters
March 30, 2021 8:21 AMI'm so very sorry for your loss. We have always thought highly of OJ, you, and the boys. I still remember asking him to speak to my class when he returned from Turkey (if I remember correctly, he spoke to ALL my classes that day). He brought awesome displays and kept the students' attentions! His patience and humor were quite evident and he seemed to enjoy being there as much as we enjoyed having him! He always had a smile on his face. May God be with you and your family.
Candy Peters
A Memorial Tree was planted for O. J. Davis Jr.
March 29, 2021 9:42 AMWe are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Davis-Watkins Funeral Homes & Crematory
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