Ron Davis of Cedar Falls, IA made his debut in the world on May 31, 1946. He was born in his family home, the son of Pearl (Schultz) Davis. He was a stand-out wrestler at Mason City High School where he graduated in 1964. He was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1965. As Ron would say, he won a free trip to Vietnam where he entertained his Army brothers with his wit and humor. He came home and fell in love with Dorothy Jean Weiland. He enjoyed her company for almost 50 years before her passing in 2018. Ron was never shy to try something new. He flew airplanes, he built houses, and he wrote a book. He worked as a security guard, a waste water operator, and enjoyed part-time retirement working at Walmart. He would say his hardest job was raising 5 kids. That is probably because he never gave a spanking. He loved every kid he met. He had a big heart for anyone who needed help. He put everyone above himself, especially those 5 kids. Life with Ron was full of fun, laughter, jokes, and pranks. To meet him was to love him. His glass was always half-full even if it was empty and with 5 kids it was empty a lot. He was a lover of animals, especially strays that were in need of a home. He fed every cat in the neighborhood along with a few stray opossums. He was known as the “turtle man” at Jubilee Days in Warsaw, MO for many years. After the annual turtle races, he would collect them and return them to the wild to ensure their safety.
Ron scratched his final lottery ticket on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at Allen Hospital.
Ron is survived by his children: Linda (David) Buchholz, Susan (Mike) Frost, Deb (Bill) Caspers, Tracy (Michael) Davis, and Brenda (Richard) Kreisel; 7 grandchildren: Beau (Megan) Buchholz, Brock (Rachel) Buchholz, Sarah (Jon) Hickman, William (Cacharel) Caspers, Brian (Carli) Caspers, Riley (Nicole) Kreisel, and Lauren (Taylor) Kreisel; 6 great grandchildren; his siblings: Virgil (Diane) Davis, Judy (Dave) Vandahl, and Jeanette (Dennis) Logan; sister-in-law, Marge (Jim) Ward; several nieces and nephews; special neighbor, Gerald Brown; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; mother, Pearl; his brother, Gary; and nephew Robert Logan.
Services will be in Mason City, IA on Sunday, June 1, 2025. A military graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery (3rd addition, block 4) at 11:00 am and a celebration of life and lunch will be held at the VFW at 1603 S. Monroe Avenue from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. Memorials can be made to VFW Post 733 in Mason City, IA. Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home is assisting the family.
