USAF Lt. Col. (Ret.) Leroy L. "Lee" Davis

USAF Lt Col (Ret.) Leroy L. “Lee” Davis, age 86 of Fairborn, passed away Tuesday May 31, 2022.  He was born December 19, 1935 in Rockford, IL, the son of the late Vern and Beatta (Brown) Davis.   

He was a farmer at heart, growing up on a beef and grain farm.  After attending University of Illinois on an agricultural scholarship for three semesters, he decided he wanted to work on atomic bombs and rockets in California.  He earned a BS in Physics from UCLA, MS in Aeronautical Engineering and an MS in Mechanical Engineering, both from University of Arizona.  

Lee answered his country’s call and was commissioned into the US Air Force in October of 1958, retiring after over 20 years of service at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  During his military career he flew the F-106 at Moody AF Base earning the Top Gun Award, F-102 in Alaska at Elemendorf, MC-130 out of Udorn AFB in Thailand for missions over Vietnam, and a KC-135 at Wright-Patterson AFB.  Lt. Col. Davis was assigned to the USAF Air Staff at the Pentagon in 1973 and retired in 1978.   

Not one for idle time, after retiring from the Air Force Lee was an engineer at Boeing Aircraft, flew cargo for Airborne Express, and fulfilled his dream of flying for the airlines at Eastern Airlines in 1989.  He also flew corporate airlines with VentAir in 1994. 

Lee was a lifelong learner and following his flying career he spent several years attending math and physics courses at Wright State University and Cedarville University.  His hobbies included flying airplanes, gardening; driving antique vehicles in parades; and spending time with his grandchildren, especially OSU football games. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by sister, Carrie Timms.  Lee is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Cathy; four children,

Dean LeRoy Davis, Tamera Lynn (Kevin) Bowditch, Amber Kay Hurst, Michael LLoyd Davis (Nikki); step-children, Johnny Dinwiddie, Kenny (Brenda) Dinwiddie, Mickey (Linda) Dinwiddie; 14 grandchildren, Taren Leigh (US Army SFC Ryan) Hall, Myranda Kay (Kyle) Shipley, Kendall Bethany (Garret) Lotz, Brandon Lee (Jessica) Bowditch, USAF Major Shanon Marie (Dan) Jamison, Arielle Lynn (Rob) Thompson

Aubrey Lynn (Michael) Clark, Devin Michael (Lisa) Davis, Chad Michael Davis, Jamie Elise Davis, Ken (Daniella) Dinwiddie, Nicole Dinwiddie (Kevin), Krisha (Doug) Ruggles, USAF Major Mike Dinwiddie; 18 great-grandchildren; brother, Loren Davis (Ginger); sister, Delores (Herman) Westerhuis.  A funeral service will be held on Monday June 6, 2022 at 12 noon at the Belton-Stroup Funeral Home, 422 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd., Fairborn, Chaplain Mark Bowditch officiating.  The family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service.  Burial with military honors will follow at Byron Cemetery. 

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