It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Charles Louie “Loveable” Davis, on November 19, 2024, at home in Kearney, MO, surrounded by his family at the age of 90. Charles was born on February 06, 1934, in Tennille, GA, to Joseph Brown Davis and Dora Waller Davis, both deceased.
Charles grew up in Georgia, picking cotton from the time he was 12 years old. He lived a very impoverished life. He graduated high school and left for the Navy where he became the man he wanted to be. He always said I grew up with nothing, but I will make sure my family has what they need. He instilled a great work ethic in his four children. He gave them the opportunity to succeed in life, by working for what you get.
During his Navy days he would visit his friend’s aunt and uncle, whom he also knew, in Maryland. Their daughter Norma Alice Armstrong caught his eye, and they were married on November 06, 1954. They had their first child, a daughter, Karen, born in January 1956, the first son, Chuck, would come in March 1958, another son, Mark, in July 1960 and last John, the baby in 1962.
He left the Navy with an honorable discharge in 1956. He then pursued a career in sales with Sunshine Biscuits Company. He excelled in this and quickly moved up in his company. After working in different Maryland offices, he was transferred to Philadelphia. He ran that office until another promotion came along moving him to the New York corporate headquarters. He commuted by train three hours a day so his family wouldn’t have to move again. He thought this was the last stop, until, Midwest was in a crisis, and they asked him to come to KC to get it back on track. He moved the family to Kearney, MO in June 1973. This is where he was happiest. His sons were Bulldogs and played football for Kearney. He loved it. If he was out of town, he would fly back for a game no matter when or where. He became a local by stopping by the local café each morning before work for coffee. After sitting in a booth, the first month or two, one of the men at the Liar’s Table told him he’d been coming long enough to move to the Liar’s Table. This was a big deal to be invited there. Next thing we know he buys that little café from the Clemon’s Family. Clem’s Café was already a thriving business, and he loved being there and meeting all the people. He fell in love with Kearney. What a change. He retired from Sunshine Biscuits Company and managed Clem’s full time. He was divorced from his first wife, Norma Davis, in 1983. His daughter, Karen and son, Chuck, would go on to help him with his new business. He opened the Kearney Laundromat in 1985. He went into business with his son John from 1986 to 1998, forming Davis Construction Company. In 1987, he opened Kearney Kwik Lube & Car Wash along with his son Mark. In 1998 John would leave the construction industry and open the Cameron Kwik Lube & Car Wash. In 1997 we decided to sell Clem’s Café and concentrate on Oil Change & Car Wash
locations. He sold Clem’s Café (a very hard decision) and in 1999 opened Platte City Kwik Lube & Car Wash with his son Chuck. In 2005 the family opened American Pride Oil Change and Tunnel Car Wash in Kearney. The first tunnel in the area without brushes or cloths, he was very proud of that.
Charles married Debbie Billings in 2002 and lived outside of Cameron on his 80-acre farm. Charles retired and began traveling all over the US with his wife. He went to every state except Alaska and that was on his list. In 2012 he moved back to Kearney. He and Debbie spent the winters in Arizonia from 1997 to 2022. He loved it. He couldn’t wait for October so he could start planning to leave. Like most of us, he hated the cold. He loved riding his razor in the desert with his friends and playing desert golf.
Up until June 2024 when he was diagnosed with aspirating pneumonia, he was very active. He worked out each day for up to two hours. He was always at his Holt property on the tractor mowing and moving rock, sweeping his barn or visiting Holt Car Wash customers. He was not a sedentary man. He was a stickler for detail and any project he did was done in detail.
Charles is survived by his wife, Debbie of 22 years; his daughter, Karen and husband Bill; son, Chuck and wife Annette; son, Mark and wife Sherry; son, John and wife Teresa; and stepdaughter, Michele Billings. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Trae and wife Tina, Starsky and wife Amanada, Chad and wife Ashley, Danielle, Tanner and Mackenzie. He is also survived by 12 great grandchildren, Star and husband Dom, Alex and husband Brennan, Tristan, Anna, Ailvia, Adasyn, Logan, Karlee, Kendall, Karson, Korbin and Kaylee; one great-great grandson, Izaiah; sister, Judy and husband Ferris, Gray, GA; sister, Grace Horton, Cocoa Beach, FL; many nieces, nephews, and friends. He loved the ones his clan married as much as he did his own. He also loved Kearney and all he knew.
Gone But Never Forgotten.
Heaven’s Liar’s Table is full!
Celebration of Life will be held November 30, 2024, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Military Honors at 2 p.m. at Kearney VFW Post 5717.
Arrangements in care of Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Kearney, MO.
