Fire department mourns ex-chief's death
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Fire trucks line the edge of the cemetery where former Martinez Fire Department Chief Gene Edwards Davis was buried.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The Martinez Fire Department lost one of its long-time chiefs last week.
Gene Edward Davis, 69, passed away on Mar. 9, 2002, after a short illness. He served as Martinez fire chief from 1985 until his retirement in 1997.
During Davis' tenure at the helm of the Martinez Fire Department, three additional fire stations were added to its territory, making a total of six. Davis started the department's extremely successful fire safety program and added both a training center and mechanic's shop at Engine Company #2. He also provided the community with four additional fire trucks and a fire safety house.
In addition, Davis was the driving force behind development of the fire department's Honor Guard and Color Guard, which assist at the funerals of area firefighters and represent the fire department at various community functions.
Davis was an army veteran of 20 years, serving his country in the Korean War as well as two tours of duty in Vietnam. He received two purple hearts and numerous other awards. He started volunteering with the Martinez Fire Department in 1965 while stationed at Fort Gordon, and became the department's third paid employee in 1972 after his retirement from the army. He was promoted to Captain of Engine Co. #2 in 1976 and then to fire chief in 1985.
Officers carry Davis' casket to it's final resting place. Davis, an Army veteran, started volunteering with the martinez department in 1965 while stationed at Fort Gordon.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Davis was a member of the Georgia State Firefighters Association and both the Georgia and Southeast State Fire Chiefs Associations.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carolyn; three children, Michael Davis, Ronald Davis, and Patricia Reynolds; and six grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.
Augusta Christian Day School founder dies
The Rev. Ray Lester Draper
One of the founders of Augusta Christian Day School died in Iowa last month.
The Rev. Ray Lester Draper, age 72, becoming the founding director of the Martinez school. At the time of his death on Feb. 11, Draper was living in Sutherland, Iowa.
Funeral services were held Friday, Feb. 15, at Church of God, Shambaugh, Iowa with Pastor Michael Hyde, Pastor Bob Eatherton, and Pastor Ralph Draper presiding. Burial was in Shearer Cemetery, Braddyville, Iowa with military rites by the American Legion Post #98 and V.F.W Post #9230 of Clarinda, Iowa.
Draper was born May 29, 1929, at Sutherland, Iowa, O'Brien County to Lester Draper and Mary E. (Dodge) Draper. He graduated from the Sutherland High School in 1948 and entered the Army after attending Omaha Bible College in 1950. He served with the army for two years during the Korean Way.
In 1951, Ray was married to Margaret Reeder in Augusta, Georgia. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Dec. 8, 2001.
Ray loved fishing and hunting and riding his motorcycle with his boys and grandchildren. He also was an avid gardener and automotive technician.
Draper was preceded in death by his parents and son John Draper. Survivors include his wife Margaret, five children: Mike Draper of Cherokee, Iowa, Sheryl Williams and her husband John of Clarinda, Iowa, Tom Draper and his wife Sue of Sutherland, Iowa, Susan Sunderman and her husband Mark of Jeffersonville, Indiana, Dan Draper of Paulina, Iowa, fourteen grandchildren: Jeremy, Jarrod, Justin and Shala Williams, Heather and Caleb Sunderman, Michael, Nicole and Matthew Draper, Erin, Tricia, Greg and Tyler Draper, Taylor, daughter of Dan Draper, two great grandchildren: Mallory Lynn Williams, daughter of Jeremy and Megan Williams, and Ethan son of Nicole Draper. Also surviving are his brothers and sister: Darrell Draper and wife Ruth of Milford, Iowa, Eleanor Martin and husband Lester of Aurelia, Iowa, James Draper and wife Helen of Cherokee, Iowa, twin brother, Ralph Draper and wife Eleanor of Wayland, Iowa, and a host of friends and neighbors all over the different states.