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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Oct '88
Samuel Preston Davis, III No.15799 Class of 1946 Died
18 March 1986 in Little Rock, Arkansas, aged 62 years. Interment:
Oakland Cemetery, Little Rock, Arkansas |
Throughout his entire life, Pres lived as is stated
in the '46 Howitzer, "a true son of Arkansas." He loved
the state and he loved his birthplace of Little Rock. Never have
I seen anyone so proud and so vocal about his heritage. It was
a pleasant trait of his, among many.
It was natural that he would put in one year at
the University of Arkansas before going to West Point. Cadet
days were tough academically, but he never lost his happy, cheerful
approach to life. No matter what the demons of academia would
throw at him, he would smile through. He kept this approach in
regular Army life and in his retirement life even though he was
not well during the latter.
Between graduation in 1946 and retirement in 1969 he led the
typical Infantry regular Army life with tours in Japan, Hawaii,
Korea Vietnam, Ethiopia, Turkey, Germany, Thailand and Alaska.
He was a veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War when he
was aide to General Paul D. Harkins, 1960-63. He progressed in
rank on schedule, reaching lieutenant colonel upon retirement.
Back in Little Rock in 1969, he delved into community
life with vigor. He was on the administrative hoard of First
United Methodist Church where seven generations of his family
had been members. He was a board member of the Quapaw Quarter
Association, Friends of the Central Arkansas Library, Goodwill
Industries of Arkansas, and the Pulaski County Chapter of the
American Red Cross.
In the months prior to his death on 18 March 1986,
his mobility was impaired by his illness, yet he remained cheerful
and hopeful. At the time of his death he was survived by his
mother, Katherine Lindsey Davis; sister, Pauline Lindsey Davis
Watson and two nieces of Little Rock. Mrs. Davis since passed
away on 23 June 1987.
S. Preston Davis, III is dearly remembered by
his friends and associates as a grand and sincere gentleman,
outstanding officer, and a fighter for life which he lived to
the fullest until he was called by his Maker. For those of us
he touched, his memory will never fade.
Twill Newell, his roommate
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