Gary Davis, age 74, of Cassville, Missouri, passed away at his home on Thursday, August 18, 2022. Son of J.R and Minnie (Shockley) Davis, Gary was born on October 18, 1947, in Monett, Missouri. Gary attended Southwest High School in Washburn, where he played basketball and graduated in 1965. On December 19, 1966, in Seligman Gary married the love of his life, Mary Jane Mitchell; she survives him.
Gary began his college career in Rolla, Missouri, going on to Southwest Missouri State University, and eventually graduating cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in Washington, D.C. Gary would then go on to a long and successful career in law enforcement, dedicating 33 years of his life to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, even serving under the highly esteemed J. Edgar Hoover. In the course of his work with the FBI, Gary would live in various cities across this great nation including Knoxville, New York, Houston, El Paso and back to headquarters in Washington D.C.
After retiring from the Bureau in 2003, Gary made his way back home to Missouri, where he would spend the golden years of his life in the company of family and friends. Retirement, however, was not a leisurely undertaking for a community- minded leader with Gary’s level of experience. He began substitute teaching at Cassville High School shortly after retiring. In 2016, Gary was elected Sheriff of Barry County, where he served until 2020. He continued serving local citizens on boards including the Barry County Fire Department and 911 Emergency Management. He was also involved in the Washburn Civic Association.
Gary was a wise man and an avid reader; he enjoyed politics and friendly discourse among his peers. Gary was also a kind man, always willing to give sound advice, or lend a hand whenever able. His was a life that truly made an impact on the world around him. Gary was a great man, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his wife, Mary (Mitchell) Davis, of Cassville; two children, Craig Davis, and his wife Crystal, of Neosho, Missouri, and Casandra Cothran-Zolan and her husband Matthew Robert Zolan, of Montgomery, Texas; six grandchildren, Nyle, Ailis, Tiernan, Rhiannon, Anne Marie, and Jason; three great-grandchildren, Ema, Camden, and Alan; one brother, Kevin Davis and his wife Teresa, of Monett; one sister, Mary Roller and her husband Russell, of Washburn; two brothers-in-law, Burl Mitchell and his wife Debra, of Cassville, and Charlie Mitchell and his wife Lisa, of Seligman; one sister-in-law, Sandra Tilford and her husband Darrel, of Seligman; several nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
In addition to his parents, J.R. and Minnie Davis, Gary was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Wade Cothran; and one niece.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 22, 2022, at the First Baptist Church of Cassville, with Pastor James Weaver and Pastor Glenn Erwin officiating. Burial will follow at Washburn Prairie Cemetery in Washburn. The family will receive friends at the church for one hour prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Gary Davis to Integrity Hospice or Cancer Research for the Ozarks, and entrusted to White Funeral Home & Crematory, P.O. Box 890, Cassville, MO 65625. Service arrangements are under the direction of White Funeral Home & Crematory, Cassville, Missouri.
PAID OBITUARY
White Funeral Home
Wand Crematory
Cassville, Mo.
www.whitefuneralhome.org 417-847-8400 or 417-858-8400
