Marvin Davis Obituary

Lt. Col. Marvin O. Davis Jr. (USAF, Retired)

Lt. Col. Marvin O. Davis Jr. (USAF, Retired) passed peacefully after an illness on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at his home in Headland, Alabama. Col. Davis was born January 24, 1941, in Jasper County, Georgia and spent most of his growing up years in Jacksonville, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucy Inez Ogletree Davis and Marvin O. Davis Sr.; as well as his sister, Barbara Jo Davis; and brother, Phillip Davis. He is survived by his wife, Rev. Glenda Granberry Davis; daughter, Janet Hasson of Boulder, Colorado; son, John Davis (daughter-in-law, Dawn) of New Rochelle, New York; and two granddaughters, Lucie Hasson and Amelie Hasson; and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his best friend of 57 years, Don Jacks of El Prado, New Mexico.

Upon graduating from Englewood High School in Jacksonville, Florida, he joined the Air Force and spent time in Misawa, Japan. Then he returned to Florida to attend Florida State University, where he was a dedicated Seminole fan and met his wife, Glenda in 1963. They married in 1965, during their senior year in college at FSU. He majored in Radio and Television and took a commission in the Air Force upon graduation. He spent his career in the Air Force, where he earned the rank of Lt. Colonel, and later with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), working on many disasters around the world.

Upon retirement, Marvin and Glenda relocated to Headland, Alabama, to be closer to Glenda's family. One of Marvin's proudest accomplishments was designing and managing the construction of their 'pole beam' constructed at home behind a pond on some family land. He was always creating and constructing things – including a sailboat and sewing the sail, a TV from a kit with a wooden cabinet to house it, many pieces of wooden furniture and numerous other projects. He published his first book, "The Bargain" in 2023.

He always enjoyed a challenge and if it wasn't a big, challenging project, he wasn't interested. It was that attitude that helped remodel the Spiritual Enrichment Center of Dothan from a dilapidated old house into a lovely and very useful church. His son, John said "My dad was a 'maker' and made me who I am today." Marvin definitely left his mark on his loved ones and his world and will be deeply loved and missed by us all.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 7, 2023, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with Reverend Doctor Sunday Coté officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 until 11 a.m., Saturday at the mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Spiritual Enrichment Center, 942 South Oates St., Dothan, AL 36301, or to the Dothan Montessori School, 474 South Oates St., Dothan, AL 36301.

HOLMAN-HEADLAND MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-693-3371. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.