Verlon Davis

Verlon Whitaker Davis, 88, of Artesia, died in Roswell on Monday August 30, 2004. Verlon Davis was born March 10, 1916, in Clarendon, Texas, to J. Emmit and Ellen Williams Whitaker Davis. At age three, he moved with his family to Ranchvale, New Mexico, near Clovis. He graduated from Ranchvale High School and went to New Mexico Highlands where he lettered in three sports and graduated with a Bachelors degree in 1940. Following graduation, Mr. Davis took a job in Forest, New Mexico teaching school and coaching sports. In 1941, Mr. Davis married Mabel Pearl Perky Morgan. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Davis moved to Springer, New Mexico where he continued teaching and coaching until World War II when he enlisted as an Ensign in the United States Navy. Following Officers Training School in Seattle, Washington, he was assigned to an LST and saw duty in the South Pacific. After the War, Mr. and Mrs. Davis moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico, where he was a high school teacher and head basketball coach. While in Las Vegas, he completed his Masters degree. In 1953, Mr. and Mrs. Davis moved to Artesia where he became head basketball and golf coach and an assistant football coach. Mr. Davis wife, Perky, died in 1957. In 1959, Mr. Davis was selected to be principal of Artesia High School, a position he occupied until 1973 when he returned to full-time teaching. He retired from teaching in 1976 and became a tax appraiser for Eddy County until his retiring in 1981. On October 15, 1960, Verlon and Nancy Yapp Knorr of Artesia were married in Santa Fe. They lived in Artesia until October 2003 when they moved to Villa Del Rey Retirement Inn in Roswell. On April 5, 2004, Nancy predeceased Verlon. Mr. Davis enjoyed participating in all variety of sports. Even after graduation from college, he played AAU basketball and remained an avid golf enthusiast throughout his life. He was an excellent bridge player and taught bridge for a number of years at the Artesia Senior Citizens Center. However, his life-long profession and avocation was working with young people. He worked tirelessly on behalf of Artesia High School and oversaw the schooling of generations of its graduates. He is survived by his children, Dan Sharon Knorr of El Paso, Roxanne Fred Yates of Roswell, Robert Be Davis of North Oaks, Minnesota, Barbara Gene Thornton of Lamy, John Rose Mary Knorr of Artesia, and Andrea Knorr Crockett of Telluride, Colorado. Mr. Davis was predeceased by a son Larry in 1948. His 15 grandchildren are Gabrielle Michael Keenum of Lubbock, Daniel Amy Knorr of Houston, Rebecca Bob Pemberton of Austin, Sarah Hunter Glass of Dallas, Amanda Yates of Austin, William Katherine Davis of Santa Fe, Jane and Elizabeth Davis of North Oaks, Robert Thornton of Las Cruces, Stacey Travis Gunderson of Las Lunas, New Mexico, Allison and Julia Crockett of Telluride, and Jack, Ben and Meg Knorr of Artesia. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Mikaela, Shaler and Chloe Keenum of Lubbock; one sister, Viva Davis of Clovis; and two brothers, Pete Davis of Clovis, Jack Bobbie Davis of Roswell. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Loran and two sisters, Christine and Lorene. A memorial service will be held at 10:15 a.m., Saturday, September 4, at the First United Methodist Church of Artesia, 5th St. Grand Ave. The Rev. Dr. C.H. Burroughs will officiate. Interment will be in the Woodbine Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Memorial contributions may be sent to Artesia Public Library, 306 W. Richardson Ave, Artesia, N.M. 88210, or Artesia Meals on Wheels, co Kay Hart 1401 Ray Ave., Artesia, N.M. 88210. The family appreciates the loving care provided to Mr. Davis by the caregivers over the last four months.