The Honorable N. Owen 'Bump' Davies, former Mayor of Racine

The Honorable N. Owen “Bump” Davies, age 86, former Mayor of Racine, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, February 12, 2013, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family, due to complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was born in Racine on November 15, 1926, son of the late David H. and Elizabeth I. (Nee: Rowlands) Davies.

In his younger years, he played underhand fast pitch baseball. Owen graduated from Washington Park High School, “Class of 1945,” and in later years was inducted into the Washington Park Hall of Fame. During the Korean Conflict, he served as an instructor in the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps while stationed in Fort Lee, VA.

Owen was married to the love of his life, Dorothy A. Fergus, on June 5, 1954, at First Presbyterian Church, and they have been blessed with fifty-eight beautiful years together. Owen owned and operated West Racine Cleaners for over thirty years and was a member and past president of the West Racine Business Association. Always a civic-minded man with great integrity, Owen proudly served as alderman for the third and ninth districts, before ultimately serving three terms as Racine Mayor from 1987-1995. He also volunteered his time with the VFW Post 1391 Firing Squad and as a member and past President with the Kiwanis Club of Greater Racine.

Owen was a lifelong dedicated member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, where he held many leadership roles, including elder, deacon, trustee and choir member. He also sang with the Racine Dairy Statesmen and was an original member of the Church Singers. Proud of his Welsh heritage, he was a member of the St. David’s Society. Above all, it was his children and family that were the greatest source of his love and pride. Owen will be dearly missed by his family and the entire community.

Survivors include his loving wife, Dorothy; his children, Dr. Robert Davies (Jose Contreras) of San Pedro, CA, Nancy Davies (Dr. Michael Smith) of Raleigh, NC, Greg Davies of Calgary, AB, (Tammy); his eight grandchildren, Jenniffer (Eduardo) Quintanilla, Justin (Katie) Smith, Zack Smith (fiancee, Victoria Youngblood), Emily and Mason Smith, James, Julie and Jacob Davies; one great-granddaughter, Scarlett Quintanilla; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Rosemary Davies, Mary (Robert) Johnson, Lois Ellison; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, David W. (Betty) Davies, Charles Davies; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Darol Ellison and Elizabeth (Robert) Stratman.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 16, 2013, at 9 a.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 40 Ohio St., with Rev. Melanie Hammond Clark officiating. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow at Mound Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Friday at the funeral home from 4 p.m.  until 7 p.m. Memorials to the Covenant Presbyterian Church, Racine Health Care Network Inc., 904 State St., Racine, WI 53404, or to Racine Heritage Museum, 701 Main St., Racine, WI 53403, have been suggested.

The family extends a very special thank you to two special caregivers from Society’s Assets, Jeremy and Chuck, Hospice Alliance and for the outpouring of loving support received from his extended family.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine   (262) 634-7888