John Edwin Davis

   John Edwin Davis, Ed.D, passed from this life on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at the age of 85. He was born December 28, 1933 and raised by his parents Len and Stella (nee Mostul) in Bend, Oregon.  He is survived by his wife of 63 years Betty (nee Becker) Davis; children Barbara and Jeff; grandchildren Jeremy (Jenn), Jeffery, and Matthew (Jessica); and great granddaughter Arianna. He was preceded in death by his sons Scott and Leonard.

            John was an academically gifted and multi-talented student.  He played the piano and later the guitar.  He received recognition for his academic and artistic pursuits throughout his life, including being listed in who’s who among students in American Universities and Colleges 1955-1956 and winning a full tuition and fees scholarship from the Oregon PTA.  He competed for and won Federal Scholarships for most of his Master’s Degree and all of his doctorate, based on academic excellence and a commitment to spend 2 years teaching at the university level to fill a national shortage.

     Prior to completing his doctorate, John worked as a 5th grade teacher.  One of his favorite stories was about a student who told him a cow had eaten his homework – and it was true.

     In 1956 John wore blue suede shoes when he wed Betty Jean Becker, and the couple spent the next 5 years building a family of 4 children.  The family relocated to Ellensburg, WA where John became a reading professor at Central Washington State College.  In 1969 he brought his family east to accept a tenure - track position as a reading professor at Purdue University Calumet in the Education Department.  His favorite class to teach was Children’s Literature, where he was known for reading to the class as well as singing songs about events in his children’s lives.  During this time he also edited text books and served as president of the Hammond Area Reading Council and the Indiana State Reading Association.

     A life-long Christian, John was active in churches as a youth sponsor and Sunday School teacher, most recently at the Christian Church on Lincoln Street in Highland where he also served as a Deacon.

     John was artistically talented and was invited to present a one-man show in mixed media at the University of Oregon while in college. He also authored an unpublished children’s book.  His hobbies included knitting, crocheting, quilting, sewing, furniture making and cooking.

     John was a devoted family man and a good father who knew how to say “No” to requests and demands on his time that would keep him away from the family.  He will be greatly missed.

       Services will be held at the Fagen-Miller Funeral Home, 2828 Highway Ave in Highland on Saturday, September 28, 2019 with visiting from 2:00 pm until the time of service at 4:00 pm.

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