Davis, Charles E
Charles E Davis
February 15th, 1936 – April 8, 2023
Charles was born in Kershaw, SC, on February 15th, 1936, to the late Charles E. Davis, Jr., and the late Geneva Dabney Davis. He grew up in Kershaw, SC, Shelby, NC, and Greensboro, NC with his father, stepmother, Elizabeth Frost Davis and his brother, Bob. He graduated from Greensboro High School, where he met the love of his life, Claire Jacoby Davis, who predeceased him.
Charles developed his love of football while playing in junior high and high school in Greensboro. While attending the University of South Carolina in Columbia, he was active in his fraternity, Kappa Alpha, serving as its’ president in his senior year. During the summers, he participated in military training as part of his NROTC scholarship. He graduated in 1958 with a BS in Civil Engineering and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.
After marrying Claire and graduating from Marine Officer Basic School in Quantico, VA, they moved to Camp Lejeune, NC, where he began a career of leadership in the USMC. The couple moved to Long Beach, California, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and Woodbridge, VA as Charles continued his training as well as serving as an instructor in several infantry and aviation schools.
In 1967, Charles was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26 Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Khe Sanh, Vietnam. There he commanded Charlie Company, first Battalion, 26th Marines until he was promoted to Major and was reassigned and served at the Battalion Operations Officer during the siege of Khe Sanh and other offensive battles throughout the northern portion of South Vietnam.
In addition to his three children, Beth (Claire Elizabeth), Chuck (Charles Edward IV, wife Diane) and Andy (James Andrew), he is survived by his beloved grandchildren: Chip Davis (Charles Edward V), Kyle Davis (Kyle Richard), Sophie Davis (Sophie Geneva), Stuart Davis (James Stuart), and Emily Davis (Emily Claire), his brother, Robert Dabney Davis (wife Leslie) and many cousins.