Marvin Maurice Davis, age 61, of Terry Road, one of Jackson County’s best known farmers and residents, died Sunday, March 9 at his home. He was born October 1, 1952, son of the late Maurice and Nellie (Gahm) Davis. He was a giant of a man, both in stature and most of all in heart. Whether it be family member, relative, or friend, Marvin was always there to lend a helping hand every time one was called for.
He graduated from Jackson High School in the class of 1970, where he was a member of the 1969 SEOAL championship football team and the varsity basketball team. He graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in agriculture, and then pursued his dream of operating the family farm in the Glade Valley of Scioto Township, a now 700-acre farm which has been in his family for six generations since the 1830’s.
Besides being named Young Farmer of the Year, Marvin and his family were honored in 1998 by being given the Jackson County Family Farm Award by the Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District, an organization of which he was a past board member. While the farm for generations produced top-notch beef cattle and grain, Marvin expanded his family operation two decades ago in 1994 when he began Marvin’s Gardens Greenhouse, visited by many from throughout southern Ohio every spring. What started as one greenhouse turned into a 35,000 square-foot operation, with Marvin donating plants to numerous organizations, such as the Community Garden, Beaver Oktoberfest, Canter’s Cave, and many others. For his efforts, he was bestowed the Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce in 2009.
He was an extremely strong supporter of young people, from his days as a 4-H member, to his strong support of the Jackson County 4-H Livestock program. He was also very proud of his association as coordinator and coach in the Scioto Elementary School youth basketball program. He continued his commitment to young people by following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Ray Davis by serving for 16 years as a member of the Jackson City Board of Education, where he was the leading vote-getter in each of the four elections in which he participated.
He was continuing his public service at the time of his death by serving in his first term as fiscal officer of his beloved Scioto Township, and was also serving as a trustee for the Jackson County Water Company, a post he had held for the past seven years. Marvin was a skilled guitarist and loved all kinds of music, with bluegrass music holding a special place in his heart.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Teresa (Thompson) Davis; four children, daughters, Amy (Todd) Newman of Columbus, Ohio, Megan Davis of Ashland, Kentucky, Grace (Jason) Moore of Dallas, Texas, and Adam (Megan) Davis of Beaver, Ohio. Also surviving him is a brother, Gary (Trudy) Davis of Dallas, Texas; a niece, Tisha (Tim) Cox; and a nephew, Chris (Preccia) Davis of Texas. Marvin has many cousins as well who revered him as the patriarch of the family, and countless friends whom he adored and reciprocated that respect. He loved his family dearly and was truly an example for all to follow.
A funeral will be held Thursday, March 13, 2014 at Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Jackson, Ohio at 11 a.m. with Rev. Bill Goodall officiating. Burial will take place in Salem Cemetery on Johnson Road in Scioto Township.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 12 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Markay Cultural Arts Center, 269 East Main St., Jackson, OH 45640. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillumfuneralhomes.com