Raymond Alfred Davis was born February 13, 1915 at Fairfax, South Dakota to George and Alma (Tichacep) Davis and he died May 6, 2014 at the Wagner Good Samaritan Center in Wagner South Dakota at the age of 99 years.

Ray attended Fairfax schools for 11 years, skipping the sixth grade because of high academic performance. He graduated at the age of 17 in 1932. He then joined his father in the Davis Hardware Store and became the owner manager upon his fathers death in 1938. On may 8, 1939 he married Evelyn Hinken of Burke, who was teaching the 5th and 6th grades in Fairfax. In September of 1942 he joined the Army Air Force Reserve and attended training in Aberdeen, Rolla, Missouri, Harrisburg and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Columbia, South Carolina. He was called to active duty in June of 1943 and served until January of 1946. While in the service, Ray developed a radar jamming device which he installed on B-29 bombers. For this he was awarded the Bronze Star.

After his discharge, he returned to Fairfax and Davis Hardware. He diversified the business and added electrical appliances, radios, record player, ect...to the business. In the late 1940's and early 1950's, he headed a crew that wired farms through the Electrification Program, servicing Gregory, Charles Mix and Bon Homme Counties.

Evelyn passed away in 1969 and in 1971 he was united in marriage to Helen Theil Guthmiller. They resided east of Fairfax and together began farming and raising cattle. They retired in 1981 and moved to Miller, South Dakota, where they resided until Helen's death in 1999. Ray returned to Bonesteel and resided there until entering the Wagner Good Samaritan Center.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his two wives, Evelyn and Helen, as well as his sister-in-law, Mildred Davis.

Ray is survived by his brother, Donald Davis of Fairfax, South Dakota two step-daughters and their families as well as other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bonesteel. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church.