1941
Edmun
2016
Edmun Davis III
November 27, 1941 — April 12, 2016
Edmun F. Davis, III “Eddie”, 74, of Merriam, Kansas passed away April 12, 2016. He was born November 27, 1941 to Mr. and Mrs. Edmun F. Davis II of Charleston, West Virginia.
Eddie was the oldest of four. He had a typical relationship with his younger brothers, often at odds with Jim and Jack, the twin mischief-makers. However, one truly knew how much he loved them whenever you would hear him tell stories about their mischievous antics. As a protective big brother, he always looked out for his baby sister, Karen.
Eddie attended South Charleston High School where he had many close friends, and competed on the Track team, setting a West Virginia state record for the One-Mile run. That record held for nearly 20 years. Growing up in South Charleston Eddie’s life was full. His love for his mother was unparalleled, and his connection to family and friends would be the foundation that would define his later years in life.
In 1962 Eddie married the love of his life, and high school sweetheart, Glendora Marie Cunningham. The next year the couple welcomed the first of their children, Berry Todd. To support his young family and put his keen engineering mind to use, Eddie worked under his father-in-law, learning the Tunneling business in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of his youth. Three years later the couple had their second child, a little girl, Bonnie Lyn. Eddie’s little “Bon, Bon” would carry on his love of cards, laughter and generosity.
In 1966, Eddie was sent to Kansas City to bid on a large Tunneling job. He was sent not so much to get the job, but to make a statement to a local KC tunneling company that had dared come to West Virginia to try to under bid his father-in-law. As fate would have it, he got the job and the family headed to Kansas. After the job was completed they decided to stay and he formed his own company Kaw Valley Tunneling. As the family laid down new roots, the company would thrive under Eddie’s determined guidance. As a baby faced, 26-year-old business owner, Eddie astonished everyone as he grew the company past the million-dollar mark in revenue.
1969 would bring the birth of their last child, Brett Alan. Life was good and filled with many family reunions back to West Virginia and vacations to the beach.
In 1976, Interstate 69 replaced the field behind their house on Melrose so the family decided to move to Lake Quivira. It was here where Eddie’s passions began to thrive. Every day he could was spent outdoors as the weekends and evenings were filled with fishing, swimming, boating and his new obsession – golf. Eddie also found time to help with his son’s sports teams coaching both Berry and Brett’s teams in some capacity throughout the years. It was on the lake, on the course or in the clubhouse where Eddie’s friendships grew, and the legend of “Fast Eddie” would take shape. The influence of the lake and friendships developed over the years cannot be emphasized enough.
The family continued to grow as grandchildren entered the picture. Ashly Nicole and Audrey Faye would soon be at the top of his conversations whenever taking about, or with his kids.
As life would have it, Eddie and the family faced new challenges and obstacles with the early onset of Parkinson’s disease in 2000. As is the case with many devastating diseases the fight lasted for many years, but did not dampen their spirits. Glendora and Eddie eventually moved to Edelweiss in Merriam, where they made more friendships with neighbors and friends at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church where Glendora worked and where Eddie would help out in the food pantry.
Eddie’s brag book extended even further with the birth of two new granddaughters, Vaughn Indigo and Lake Juliet. Eddie always made friends wherever he went and became very close with those he worked with at the Parkinson’s Center, therapists, caretakers and staff at Lakeview Village.
Eddie loved BBQ, seafood, and a good bacon wrapped filet. He loved to watch, and often yell at his favorite sports teams on TV, which included the Royals, Chiefs, Jayhawks and West Virginia Mountaineers. He was a proud husband who always cheered on Glendora in her theater productions. But mostly he loved spending time with those he loved.
Eddie was a son, husband, and father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He was generous with everyone he met, no matter their status or stage in life. Whenever he was dealt a bad hand in life, he would never complain, but would buckle down and push through it as best he could. Eddie was loved, and has now been freed from his broken body. He will not be forgotten. He will be missed.
He is survived by his wife, Glendora, mother, Kathern, son, Berry and spouse, Shannon, daughter, Bonnie, and son Brett and spouse, Jennifer, granddaughters, Ashly Martinez and spouse Juan, Audrey, Vaughn and Lake, sister, Karen Kinder and brothers, Jim and Jack as well as a large extended family and many friends.
The family will hold a private burial. A visitation will be held 12 pm Saturday, April 16th at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 6422 Santa Fe Dr., Mission, KS 66202. A celebration of life will be held directly after at 1pm followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Parkinson’s Foundation of the Heartland 8900 State Line Road, Suite 320, Leawood, KS 66206.
Eddie was the oldest of four. He had a typical relationship with his younger brothers, often at odds with Jim and Jack, the twin mischief-makers. However, one truly knew how much he loved them whenever you would hear him tell stories about their mischievous antics. As a protective big brother, he always looked out for his baby sister, Karen.
Eddie attended South Charleston High School where he had many close friends, and competed on the Track team, setting a West Virginia state record for the One-Mile run. That record held for nearly 20 years. Growing up in South Charleston Eddie’s life was full. His love for his mother was unparalleled, and his connection to family and friends would be the foundation that would define his later years in life.
In 1962 Eddie married the love of his life, and high school sweetheart, Glendora Marie Cunningham. The next year the couple welcomed the first of their children, Berry Todd. To support his young family and put his keen engineering mind to use, Eddie worked under his father-in-law, learning the Tunneling business in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of his youth. Three years later the couple had their second child, a little girl, Bonnie Lyn. Eddie’s little “Bon, Bon” would carry on his love of cards, laughter and generosity.
In 1966, Eddie was sent to Kansas City to bid on a large Tunneling job. He was sent not so much to get the job, but to make a statement to a local KC tunneling company that had dared come to West Virginia to try to under bid his father-in-law. As fate would have it, he got the job and the family headed to Kansas. After the job was completed they decided to stay and he formed his own company Kaw Valley Tunneling. As the family laid down new roots, the company would thrive under Eddie’s determined guidance. As a baby faced, 26-year-old business owner, Eddie astonished everyone as he grew the company past the million-dollar mark in revenue.
1969 would bring the birth of their last child, Brett Alan. Life was good and filled with many family reunions back to West Virginia and vacations to the beach.
In 1976, Interstate 69 replaced the field behind their house on Melrose so the family decided to move to Lake Quivira. It was here where Eddie’s passions began to thrive. Every day he could was spent outdoors as the weekends and evenings were filled with fishing, swimming, boating and his new obsession – golf. Eddie also found time to help with his son’s sports teams coaching both Berry and Brett’s teams in some capacity throughout the years. It was on the lake, on the course or in the clubhouse where Eddie’s friendships grew, and the legend of “Fast Eddie” would take shape. The influence of the lake and friendships developed over the years cannot be emphasized enough.
The family continued to grow as grandchildren entered the picture. Ashly Nicole and Audrey Faye would soon be at the top of his conversations whenever taking about, or with his kids.
As life would have it, Eddie and the family faced new challenges and obstacles with the early onset of Parkinson’s disease in 2000. As is the case with many devastating diseases the fight lasted for many years, but did not dampen their spirits. Glendora and Eddie eventually moved to Edelweiss in Merriam, where they made more friendships with neighbors and friends at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church where Glendora worked and where Eddie would help out in the food pantry.
Eddie’s brag book extended even further with the birth of two new granddaughters, Vaughn Indigo and Lake Juliet. Eddie always made friends wherever he went and became very close with those he worked with at the Parkinson’s Center, therapists, caretakers and staff at Lakeview Village.
Eddie loved BBQ, seafood, and a good bacon wrapped filet. He loved to watch, and often yell at his favorite sports teams on TV, which included the Royals, Chiefs, Jayhawks and West Virginia Mountaineers. He was a proud husband who always cheered on Glendora in her theater productions. But mostly he loved spending time with those he loved.
Eddie was a son, husband, and father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He was generous with everyone he met, no matter their status or stage in life. Whenever he was dealt a bad hand in life, he would never complain, but would buckle down and push through it as best he could. Eddie was loved, and has now been freed from his broken body. He will not be forgotten. He will be missed.
He is survived by his wife, Glendora, mother, Kathern, son, Berry and spouse, Shannon, daughter, Bonnie, and son Brett and spouse, Jennifer, granddaughters, Ashly Martinez and spouse Juan, Audrey, Vaughn and Lake, sister, Karen Kinder and brothers, Jim and Jack as well as a large extended family and many friends.
The family will hold a private burial. A visitation will be held 12 pm Saturday, April 16th at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 6422 Santa Fe Dr., Mission, KS 66202. A celebration of life will be held directly after at 1pm followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Parkinson’s Foundation of the Heartland 8900 State Line Road, Suite 320, Leawood, KS 66206.
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