Jesse Baxter Davis, long-time Ponca City resident, went home to his Lord and Savior on Monday, April 28, 2008 at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was 95.

The funeral celebration of his homecoming will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2008, at the Northeast Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Larry Nigh, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at 1 p.m. at the Blackwell Cemetery with military rites being performed by the Blackwell American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Services are under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home.

Baxter was born on March 30, 1913 at Prague, OK and was the third child of James Daniel Davis and Minnie McHan Davis. In 1922, his mother and father died of small pox two days apart. Baxter was the middle of 5 children and after their parents' deaths, the five children were sent to live in the Masonic Children's Home in Guthrie. Baxter graduated from Guthrie High School in 1932 and attended Oklahoma A&M before entering the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

During World War II, Baxter enlisted in the Army Air Force. He served in Guam as a B-17 aircraft mechanic and was honorably discharged in 1946. He was a member of the American Legion.

Baxter had many jobs during his 95 years on this earth including Continental Oil Company, Piper Aircraft, MidAmerica Manufacturing (jeans), Metal Craftsman (aircraft parts). After taking an electronics correspondence course, he owned and operated his TV repair service for several years. For the past 35 years, he has been a mail contractor with the U.S. Postal Service with routes to Hunter, Newkirk, and Shidler.

He was an avid sports fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma University. He enjoyed driving his garden tractor, watching the birds, and spending time with his family.

He married Nellie Lee in October, 1937 and she preceded him in death in 1968. On November 25, 1972, Baxter and Doris Mullins were married in Blackwell and she preceded him in death in August, 1999. He was also preceded in death by his sister Jimmie Hutchinson; brothers, Jody Davis and Emery Davis; and step-son Elgin Lee.

Survivors include his youngest sister, Mamie Jane (Tincy) Harvey and her husband Marion Harvey; nieces Jimmie Schardein and Linda Hutchinson of Oklahoma City and Jane Green of Lincoln, NE; nephew Daniel Hutchinson, Richmond, VA, and several great nieces and nephews.

Also surviving are his children by marriage Ray and Carol Mullins, Blackwell; Gerry and Charles Tingley and Emma Lee Oswalt, Ponca City. Grandchildren include Tari Cunningham, Ty Mullins, Carol Neilson, D. J. Corona, Rena Waddelow, Kay Shockley, and Rick Lee; several great-grandchildren and many more loving relatives and friends

Baxter was baptized at the age of 12 at the First Baptist Church in Guthrie, OK and attended Northeast Baptist Church in Ponca City. His first and favorite scripture was John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." May it bless your heart.

We were blessed to have Baxter in our lives; we are far better people for having loved him. His zest for living was a true inspiration and his sense of humor and love will remain in our hearts forever. He was always a man of his word.

The family will be at 2509 Turner. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Northeast Baptist Church, 2200 Pecan Road, Ponca City, OK 74604.

Casket bearers will be Ray Mullins, Charles Tingley, Kevin Cunningham, Rick Lee, Dan Hutchinson and Jeff Schardein. Honorary casket bearers will be Charles Emerson, David Mallory, Stan Hinshaw, Jim Wilkerson, Charles Dunham, James Lawson, Don Pitts and Ty Mullins.