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
robin crump says:
March 19, 2012
Lit a candle in memory of Stewart L. Davis
Susan Bundy says:
March 19, 2012
Edie,
It has been such a great privilege to live next door to you and Stew for over 14 years. You both have been so kind and encouraging to us especially when the boys came along with all their antics! Tim and I both have enjoyed hearing about your trips and seeing photos of your adventures as well as just chit-chatting by the mail box. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love,
Susan
Elizabeth E. Friedman (Elise) says:
March 20, 2012
Stew Davis has been in our “Small Group” for many years. He always smiled with each person when he arrived at our meetings. Stew never complained when he was in medical treatment. When our group was discussing Bible studies, he often explained the meaning of what we read.
He and his wife Edie were a wonderful pair, and we all loved to see them at many events. We will miss Stew!
Stew will be in heaven, and in God’s home.
Elise Friedman
Elizabeth E. Friedman (Elise) says:
March 20, 2012
Lit a candle in memory of Stewart L. Davis
Mary and Neil Brown says:
March 20, 2012
Dear Edie:
We were so sad and surprised to hear of Stew dying. We first became acquainted with you two in 1991.You came to us, Brown Realty & Property Management to property manage your lovely, prestigious, home in Santa Maria, Ca. Over the years we managed your home we came to know you personally and found we had many things in common. We found that you had a deep love of God and his word the Bible and we enjoyed many spiritual talks on your many visits to Santa Maria. We were all born in the same time and shared the changes in the world. You were both such down to earth people even though highly educated and were always so positive, kind and cheerful . You both had such a great sense of humor and respect for others and it was a pleasure to work for you and with you.
In 2006 we sold your lovely home here in Santa Maria at top price. On closing the sale you sent us a lovely Christmas ornament. A Kinkaid ornament that hangs on a large stand. We display it yearly on our lovely hall tree and of course remember you. Our exchange of yearly Christmas cards is something we have cherished. Hope to continue as long as we both are alive or able.
We were happy to hear you went on a cruise for your 50th Wedding Anniversary. We will be married 58 years on 11/11/2012. We can’t imagine life without each other and truly empathize and sympathize with you. Read the 23rd Psalm and know that God is with you and will give you strength, faith and courage to go on.
Love
Mary & Neil Brown