John Edward Davis

John Edward Davis, 90, of Indianapolis passed away August 11, 2011. He was born June 17, 1921 to Heber and Emma Davis in the south bedroom of his grandparents' house. He was preceded in death by his wife Marian Elizabeth Bowsher. They had been married for 55 years at the time of her death. He is survived by his daughters Kim Aleta Finnerty and Lee Ann Hughes, sons-in-law Jerry Finnerty and Bruce Hughes, grandsons Bryce Steven Hughes, Kyle Bradon Hughes, Colin Wayne Hughes, Sean Edward Finnerty, and Daniel Gerard Finnerty, and brother Robert George Davis of Shreveport, Louisiana. John served his country in the United States Army as a member of the 22nd Armored Engineer Battalion, 5th Armored Division during World War II from February 17, 1943 until January 14, 1946. During this time, John served as the 1331 Combat Engineer Unit commander and was wounded twice in battle. He received the Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal. John participated in the following battles and campaigns: Tunisia GO 33WD45, Napes-Foggia GO 33 WD 45, Rome-Arno GO WD 45, PO Valley GO 40 WD 45, and North Apennines GO 40 WD 45. During the Korean War, he was called back to active duty and was based stateside at Colorado University to teach ROTC. Following his separation from active service, he served in the Army Reserve until October 6, 1975. He had obtained the rank of Lt. Col. when he officially retired. John graduated from George Washington High School in 1939, and he graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1948. John began working with the Indianapolis Power and Light Company in 1948 as an engineer in General Power Plants. After his service during the Korean War, he returned to IPL as a research engineer in 1953. His career specialized in finding and putting to work ways to improve power production fuel and operating efficiency. Having advanced leadership in these areas, he was first elected as an officer of IPL in 1979. Later that same year, he was named Vice President of Power Supply. He retired from IPL in 1986 after 38 years. After retirement, he enjoyed lunching with fellow retirees from IPL, meeting with the GWHS alumni club, golfing, woodworking, working with stained glass, traveling, and spending time with his grandsons. John Davis also served as a member and president of the Pike Township School Board and was very active in the Pike Lions Club. He was a member of the George Washington High School Alumni Association, the Purdue Alumni Association, the John Purdue Club, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and The American Legion. Visitation will be held at Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Center in Speedway, Indiana on Wednesday August 17 from 4pm to 8pm, and the funeral service will be held at the mortuary on Thursday, August 18 at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan