Stewart L. Davis
September 12, 1935 - March 03, 2012
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Stewart L. Davis
September 12, 1935 - March 03, 2012
Obituary
Stewart Davis was born in Bismarck, North Dakota, Sept 12th, 1935, to Clyde and Virginia Davis. The depression was on, so the father, a civil engineer, soon moved the family to west Texas, where the jobs were. A final family move was made to Austin, Texas, where Stew spent his school years, graduating from Austin High School in 1953. Stew attended the University of Texas where he was awarded a B.S. degree in 1958 in aeronautical engineering, along with a commission in the Air Force through the ROTC program. The next three years were spent in the Air Defense Command at Oxnard Air Force Base, California, where he was an aircraft maintenance officer. While assigned there, he met and married Edress Gilbert, a high school teacher at Port Hueneme.
After discharge from the Air Force, a reserve captain, Stew and Edie moved to Seattle, Washington, where he worked for Boeing on the X-20, the forerunner of the Space Shuttle. An intermediate move was made to San Jose, California, where daughter Vicky was born. In 1964, Stew joined NASA, Houston, Texas, where he began in Mission Control on the Gemini and Apollo Programs, subsequently being assigned to the Space Shuttle Program Office. Son Scott was born in Houston. Stew supported the children in scout and sport activities and served as a coach in little league baseball.
In 1981, Stew moved the family to Lancaster, California, where he worked on test and assembly of the Space Shuttles. After retiring from NASA after 25 years, Stew joined Northrop’s Stealth Bomber Program in Palmdale, California, but then returned to the Space Program with McDonnell Douglas on the International Space Station, Huntington Beach.
Stew finally retired in 2000, but he and Edie stayed busy, with travels, concerts, and Saddleback Church. In 2007, Stew wrote and published a book, “Three Journeys”, which is partly autobiographical, about the decade of the Sixties, including the landing on the moon.
The high school yearbook said of Stew, “He has the mildest manners with the bravest mind.”
Stew is survived by his wife, Edie; children Vicky and Scott, his wife Christine Davis; sisters Patricia Davis and Kathy Davis-Wolter; and his niece Robin Wolter-Crump.
Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 24 at Saddleback Church in the Plaza Room with a Reception immediately following in the Terrace Cafe.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, Lung Cancer Research (LUR). The number to call is 1-800-227-2345. Specify the donation for lung cancer research (LUR) in memory of “Stewart L. Davis residing at phone number 949-462-9424.”
14 responses to Stewart L. Davis
Tiffany Majeau says:
March 16, 2012
What memories I have of a kind and loving man, always so patient with my children. Always so willing to give a kind compliment. I am so glad I had the recent opportunity to spend time with you and Edi as you shared your 50 year wedding anniversary trip scrap book. It was a time I shall never forget and you will always be with me. Love to your family and I look forward to seeing you again in the future! May God hold you close in his arms now that you are together again. Love, Tiffany Majeau
Jan & Fred Stewart says:
March 17, 2012
Lit a candle in memory of Stewart L. Davis
Debra Weise says:
March 18, 2012
To My Dear Neighbor Edie,
One of my fondest memories is of the many times I would hear laughter floating over my fence. The shared times you and Stew spent with Vicky and Scott and later Christy, was so heart warming to hear. It was a very special gift that I’m sure you had no idea you were sharing. I know there is not much laughter now, but in time I suspect I will hear it again. What a gentle, sweet man he was, and to know he’s in heaven is the best gift anyone can give their family.
Love,
Debbie & Frank
Spencer P. Anderson says:
March 18, 2012
“HERE’S TO A GREAT VOYAGE” The day was Thursday, June 19, 1999. These were the words on a bouquet of flowers delivered to our stateroom on the Splendour of the Seas before our departure on a twelve day Baltic cruise. It was compliments of Stew and Edie who were to join us for this cruise. As we shared a table during dining, we learned that we shared the same wedding date: June 25, 1961. My wife Carolyn departed this world days after this cruise on her great voyage and now Stew has departed on his voyage and I will repeat his words: “HERE’S TO A GREAT VOYAGE.”
Spencer Anderson
robin crump says:
March 19, 2012
Stew is / was my uncle and I will miss him dearly. I will his voice, his advice, and his laugh. He is / was a true gentleman and he did everything with such dignity. He made such a strong impact on everyone that came in contact with him.
When I was in High School, my high school band went to Houston for a band trip to Nasa where he worked at the time. He took us on a very good tour of NASA. So many of the students went on to college and studied engineering. Some went into the Air Force afterwards. Some have gone on to NASA and other related fields due to him and his influence.
He is / was such and important person in our lives and such great person in general to know. It is so hard to put present to past – is to was. In my mind and my heart he will always be with me. One of the last things he said to me on the phone was that he was proud of me for being the strong person that I am. I told him that it is because of him and Edie and my mom and grandfather making me who I am and making me as strong as I am. I owe it all to them. They gave the the strength and the love to be who I am.
I love them all.
I know Edie was the love of his life and together they were they greatest couple to be around. I was blessed to have them as my aunt and uncle (2nd set of parents). My cousins Vicki and Scott and pretty good too, we were pretty close growing up as well.
Stew always made family was first and important to him.
He will be terribly missed by all by all knew and loved him.
I love you and miss you.
Robin (your niece)