Ralph Michael Davis

Ralph Michael Davis- or "Mike" as he was known to everyone- of Piketon, Ohio passed away at The Ohio State University Medical Center on June 18, 2024. Mike was born on November 18, 1951, in Columbus, Ohio to Ralph and Betty (Nance) Davis who both preceded him in death.

Mike's world revolved around the love of his life, Elisa Lou (Beekman) Davis, who survives. Mike and Lisa were married on March 9th, 1973, and built a wonderful life together, raising a daughter, Jennifer Lynn (Scott) Chandler of Piketon, OH, and two sons, Michael Adam (Brandi) Davis of Piketon, OH, and Clayton Tyler (Jill) Davis of Chillicothe, OH. Mike and Lisa are the extremely proud grandparents to Madison Shae (Brice) Odel, Camryn Elise (Blake) Miller, Bryan Christopher Chandler, Declan Michael Davis, Ella Marie Davis, Branleigh Lynn Davis, Opal Belle Davis, and Cora Lynne Davis, and recently welcomed two great-granddaughters Quincy Madison Miller and Finley Shae Odel. Mike is also survived by his sister Peggy (Ron) Shepard of Lemont, IL, brother-in-law Michael Gene "Mick" (Donna) Beekman of Beaver, OH, sister-in-law Vicki Lynn (Arlie) Adams, of Waverly, OH, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law Carl Gene "Tod" and Bertie Lou (Claytor) Beekman and his brothers-in-law Todd Alan Beekman and Arlie Glen Adams Jr.

Mike owned and operated the family grocery store business, Davis Market, in Piketon for 40 years, where "the meat was hard to beat". Mike was a pillar in the Piketon community and generously sponsored activities and events too numerous to list. Mike spent a few years working for Ritchie's Meats in Piketon before retiring. Mike was not one who could sit idle in retirement, so he pursued an occupation as a CDL examiner at the Pike County CTC. What made this job extra special was that he was able to work alongside his loving wife and best friend Lisa until his passing.

Mike loved his family more than anything and worked very hard to provide the best life for his children. While Mike worked hard, he never missed a game, concert, graduation, party, or any other event that involved his children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren. Mike's wisdom, work ethic, unconditional love for his family, and life lessons will be felt and passed on for many generations.

Mike's dedication to his wife for 51 years and his commitment to their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren are the center of the family's best memories. One such memory that sticks out is when Mike caught the field behind his house on fire after his kids begged him to set off some fireworks bought from a roadside stand, and the valiant yet unsuccessful attempt to extinguish those flames with buckets of water while wearing swim trunks and flip flops. Needless to say, the Piketon Fire Department had a good laugh when they had to be called to put out the flames. Anytime there was a bad smell, the culprit was your upper lip. If something was yours, it was "urine". Everyone had kind hair.

When his children were growing up, Lisa made dinner after Mike got home from work because he wanted everyone to eat together. Mike also made sure the family went on a weeklong summer vacation every year. While traveling to the Smokies or Myrtle Beach, Mike ran many a redlight in the family vans, which included the one with the velvet curtains, the silver Astro toaster, and the beloved beaverwood. When the family was hot and hangry after fun filled days of go-carting, putt-putt, and sight-seeing, Mike's humor came to the rescue. To this day the family still laughs about the "Yabba Dabba Doo" incident and "Waccamaw Mall". Mike's sense of humor can be observed in many family photos in the form of bunny ears and the optical illusions he created with the remaining two-thirds of his pinky finger- the tip of which succumbed to the meat slicer at Davis Market.

Those who knew Mike know that he was a very kind and compassionate person. Mike always made everyone feel welcome and treated everyone like they were family. Mike was always willing to help others and would give up the shirt off his back if someone needed it. Mike's generous spirit continues even after his death as his gift of life through organ donation will help many people. In lieu of flowers, please consider becoming an organ donor or making a donation to Lifeline of Ohio in Mike's name at lifelineofohio.org.

The family will celebrate Mike's life on Monday June 24, 2024, at the Cox-Burkitt Funeral Home in Beaver, Ohio. Friends and family are invited for fellowship anytime between 11:00am-1:00pm. A graveside service will immediately follow at Bailey Chapel Cemetery in Wakefield, Ohio.

www.coxburkittfh.com