Jerald LaForest (Jr.) Davis

Jerald LaForest Davis (Jerry/Fud)

Jerry always said he was lucky to be born at Bessie Libby’s in Gray, Maine on March 5, 1945 to Jerald and Alva Adams Davis. He then was lucky again to marry the love of his life, Annie Christian on July 25, 1970 at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church in Gray.

Jerry was quite the young entrepreneur! His first job was a paper route with Paul Doughty and Clifton Dudley and he eventually took over all three routes. From these customers he began lawn mowing and snow shoveling. He owned and operated “Worms for Sale & Night Walkers”, where customers were on the honor system, putting their money in a coffee cup. Out of staters would always ask,“What are Night Walkers?” which made him laugh. During the annual magazine drives at Pennell, he won prizes for selling the most subscriptions.

He graduated from GNGHS on a Friday in 1963 and the following Monday began working full time with benefits at Cushman’s Bakery. He worked unloading docks but was too young to use the elevator. After eight years he went on to work at American Can for seven years and finally to Tambrands from where he retired on August 10, 2011 with over thirty nine years of service. He was always doing other jobs including: carpentry, handy man, real estate with Century 21, 5 Star Realty, starting with Phil Cook, Electrolux Sales – top salesman in his district for three months and a manager in Yarmouth, owner of a bait shop at Jones Beach for five years, and with his wife Annie, a chimney cleaning business for forty years. Active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts as a child and adult, he was a Cub Scout Den Chief. He was a proud member of Cumberland Lodge #12 and especially proud that his son, Joseph, followed him as another Master Mason.

Jerry was a man of many interests and hobbies! With Annie and the boys, he restored his family home as a family project. He collected post cards, old papers and magazines, and enjoyed metal detecting for coins. Jerry was a dedicated member of the Gray and New Gloucester Historical Societies and a wonderful resource of our communities history. He loved watching his well cared for birds and butterflies from his dining room window, enjoying talks with his good friend and neighbor, Richmond Lewis. Most of all, he loved having his family all living nearby and spending time with them. Davis family breakfast each Sunday morning was a testament to the importance of family.

Jerry was predeceased by his parents, brother, Philip and sister, Winnifred. Surviving are his wife Annie, sons and grandchildren, Jerald (Lorraine) Zachery; Christian (Angie) Ava; Joseph (Beth) Carter and Spencer; and Benjamin of New Gloucester; and Dennis Christian of Lewiston; sister Sheila Davis-Higgins, her children Gabriel and Julianna of Gray; step-mom Helen Witham, her children, Christine, Dale, Brenda, and Wanda.

Special thanks go to Jerry’s PCP Dr. Fred Emerson and also Dr. Joseph Wight and all their lovely nurses. He sincerely appreciated the compassionate care he received over the years.

In lieu of flowers, Jerry requests donations be made to The Maine Wildlife Park, 56 Game Farm Road, Gray, ME 04039.

A Celebration of Life for Jerald L Davis (Fud) will be on August 1st, 2021 at American Legion Post 86 Gray Maine (upstairs) from 2:00pm - 6:00pm.  There will be a Masonic service performed at 2:00pm. Please come with a “Fud” story to share with family and friends.

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