Raymond Wesley Davis “Ray” passed away on June 10, 2025, at Brio WesleyLife, in Johnston, after a yearlong battle with cancer.
He was born Aug. 3, 1945 in Davis County to Donald and Lorraine Davis.
Ray grew up in Bloomfield. He attended a one room school and graduated from Davis County High School in 1963.
Ray attended the University of Iowa on a wrestling scholarship. As an Iowa letterman, he was a lifelong fan and ardent supporter of the Hawkeyes.
It was at the U of I that he met and married his wife, Vicki (Dillon) Davis.
After graduation, Ray was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force through the ROTC program and was stationed at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia. His ambition of becoming a pilot in the Air Force was derailed when he failed a test for color blindness.
After being honorably discharged as a captain in the Air Force, Ray worked in Des Moines as a stock broker and a trust officer at Bankers Trust. He had a 31-year career at EMC Insurance Company, where he served as senior vice president/treasurer.
He also served on several boards of directors over the years. As a chartered financial analyst, he was a past president of the CFA Society of Iowa.
After retirement in 2010, Ray and Vicki spent winters at their home in Bonita Springs, Fla., where they participated in tennis, golf, bridge, and bocce with other fellow snowbirds. They enjoyed hosting Iowa friends who were suffering from “cabin fever.”
Ray is survived by his wife of 58 years, Vicki; son, Bryan Davis (Patrice) of Johnston; grandsons, Jackson Davis of Milwaukee, Wis. and Colby Davis at the U of I; and granddaughter, Marisa Davis of Johnston. All of whom Ray was exceedingly proud of and brought him great joy. He is also survived by a brother, Russell Davis of Irvine, Calif.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jack Davis of Bloomfield.
A celebration of life will be planned for friends and family later this summer.
In Ray’s memory, contributions may be offered to Wesley Life Hospice-of Urbandale, which provided compassionate care, comfort and support to Ray and his family over the past year, or to the “Good Samaritan Promise at Brio” of Johnston to help with residential care for seniors in need at http://wesleylife.org/foundation/impact-areas
