Donald "Gene" Eugene Davis, born July 6, 1950, died on March 13, 2007, of complications due to liver cancer. After enjoying a beautiful day playing with his grandsons outdoors, he suddenly and unexpectedly fell ill and passed bravely away at St. John's Hospital, Springfield, Mo. With his wife and family constantly at his side, he fought until the end. Born in Walnut Shade, Missouri, Gene was the son of the late Claude and Catherine Davis. He was raised in Sacramento, California, where at 16 he met his high school sweetheart Dolores Chavez. They married and were blessed with four children, two boys and two girls. Gene moved his family back to Missouri and became a faithful employee at Associated Wholesale Grocers for 26 years. Gene loved being at home with his family, and if you came by for a visit he would proudly show off his Carpathian walnut trees. A lifelong San Francisco Giants fan, he recently confessed to his son that his heart belonged to the World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals. He was a "world renowned" pingpong player and in earlier years may have been known to use his children for practicing his tennis serve. He enjoyed float trips and barbecues with his friends, but mostly the past two years were filled with just enjoying and loving his new grandsons. Gene had a lot of dreams for his retirement, and he would have been the best little league coach on earth. He was taken from us too soon. Gene is survived by his wife Dolores; his son Donald Eugene Davis II of Kansas City; daughter Veronica Grace; son Noah James, his wife, Carey, and their son Parker of Ozark; daughter Mia Marlena her life partner Carole, and their son, Julian, of Springfield; sister Janice Hoffman of Crane; brother Ray Davis of Ozark; and close niece Rachel Hankins and her husband, Steve. Gene is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many many friends. Relatives and friends are welcome from 7 to 9 p.m. this evening, March 15, 2007, for visitation in Greenlawn East, 3540 E. Seminole, Springfield, Mo. Funeral services for Donald Eugene Davis will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, March 16, 2007, in the funeral home.