George Davis

Zephyrhills, FL- Mr. George Arthur Davis went to be with the Lord on March 12, at the age of 75.

George was born on May 7, 1940 in Oneonta, New York to George and Velma (Scanlon) Davis.

He graduated from Hartwick College, Oneonta in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He graduated from the State University of New York at Oneonta in 1966 with a Master's in Education. George completed graduate work in Educational Administration at Colgate and Cornell Universities from 1966 to 1968.

George also served in the United States Army from 1965 until 1968, when he received an honorable discharge.

He married Janet Baker, the love of his life in 1970. George began his educational career as a teacher at Mount Upton Central School in 1963. He continued in the field of public education until 1991, retiring as the State Director of Pupil Transportation for the New York State Education Department.

George and his wife Janet welcomed 3 adoring daughters into their lives. The family ran a small farm in West Fulton where George set about teaching them the value of hard work, determination, and that family comes first. His children remember him as one in a million.

Incredibly strong and courageous, he shared his love of learning and was knowledgeable in a vast array of subjects, but above all, a dedicated father and husband who encouraged them to work hard and pursue their goals.

Upon retiring to Florida, George enjoyed spending his days gardening, golfing, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was an avid outdoorsmen who enjoyed taking family out on his boat for deep sea fishing. He also enjoyed traveling around the country in his RV, with his lovely wife, Janet, by his side.

George is survived by his wife: Janet Davis of Zephyrhills, FL; daughters: Michelle Butkus (Robert) of Zephyrhills, FL, Theresa Hammond of Zephyrhills, FL, Cynthia (CW2 Rey) Lopez of Clarksville TN; sister: Linda Parsons of Quakertown PA; brothers: William (Donna) Davis of Skaneateles, Richard (Sue) Davis of Grapevine TX, and Garry (Michelle) Davis of Richmondville; grandchildren, Joshua Butkus of Cobleskill, Julia Hammond of Zephyrhills, FL, Alexis Lopez of Clarksville TN, Brian Arthur Hammond of Zephyrhills, FL, Emma Butkus of Zephyrhills FL, Ryan Lopez of Clarksville TN, and Sophia Lopez of Clarksville TN.

A funeral will be held at 11am on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill. Rev. Jeffrey Smith of the Richmondville United Methodist Church will officiate the ceremony. A period of visitation will be held from 10-11am, prior to the funeral at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Maryland Cemetery, town of Maryland, NY.

Memorial contributions in memory of George Davis may be sent, in honor of Emma Butkus, to Williams Syndrome Association at https://williams-syndrome.org.

The family would like to thank the staff at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute for their care.

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