Daniel J. Davis, 82, of Coldwater passed away Friday, March 8, 2024, after enjoying a life very well lived.
In respect to his wishes, cremation has taken place.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Bill’s Grill House/Coldwater Golf Course.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Danny was born in Coldwater on March 24, 1941, to Henry and Vanetta Davis. Danny graduated from Coldwater High School in 1959 with many cherished classmates who remained lifelong friends. After graduation he attended Western Michigan University and Hillsdale College.
Danny was honored to serve with the U.S. Coast Guard allowing him to further enjoy his love of boats and water. Danny married Barbara Bent and together brought two wonderful daughters into the world; Stacey and Wendy, who he loved, enjoyed, and adored. Danny had the blessing of his granddaughter Emma Grace who he was so proud of. He later married (Mary Bess) Skippy Lackey – Davis who survives.
In Danny’s early childhood his father had a mechanic shop in the backyard that sparked a lifelong love for anything that had an engine. Danny and his father built many racing boats resulting in many trophies for his driving skills. It became apparent that if it had an engine – he would build it, drive it, race it, and love every second of it. Danny went on to use those skills in working at an early age at the family business known as Davis Marine on Coldwater Lake, and later taking over the business in the loss of his father as a result of the Palm Sunday tornados. Danny rebuilt the business from the ground up and managed the marina for 19 years.
He was key in the continuation of the Ski Bee Club, as well as the Coldwater Lake Sailing Club-bringing the first Hobie Cat Sailboats and Ski Doos to Coldwater Lake. Love for the outdoors continued with his enjoyment of snowmobiling and racing each year at the Quincy Tip up winning many races.
After sacrificing life to a seven day a week work schedule he sold the marina business and opened Uncle Bub’s and the Chicago St. Pub. Danny relocated his car business to Marshall Street and later retired “so to speak.” Danny opened another shop which allowed him to continue working on cars, helping friends fix their cars, and car restorations.
Danny was an amazing mechanic able to work on most any engine, engineer about any part, and repair the worst of situations. He was a man with a mass amount of mechanical knowledge and most comfortable in a shop working on something.
With all this said, Danny was best known for his amazing kindness, willingness to help anyone and his calm, happy and peaceful personality. As Skippy will share – he always woke up happy and spent the rest of the day enjoying life. Never far from a conversation was his wit and cheeky humor. He was an excellent example of what living a life to its fullest really was.
Surviving are Danny’s wife Skippy Davis, daughters Stacey Davis-Furgason and Wendy (David) Nordman, granddaughter Emma Grace Davis-Furgason, and sister Judy Michaels, as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Vanetta Davis, and stepfather Skip Lucas.
To honor Danny – wake up happy, do something good with your day and be kind. He would be happy.
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