MORRISVILLE - Rodney "Rod" Joseph Davis passed away peacefully Aug. 28, 2009, surrounded by his family. He was born in Barre on Feb. 18, 1943, to Wayne Davis and Cora LeMay Davis. He grew up in Montpelier with his sisters, Judy (Morton) and Janet (Sarsfield), and graduated from Saint Michael's High School. After high school, Rod received honorable recognition as the top graduate in his class as a Morse Intercept Operator for the U.S. Air Force and served mostly in Bremerhaven, Germany, and in Taiwan. Upon returning to Vermont, Rod attended Johnson State College where he received a B.S. in 1969 and later a M.S. in education from Saint Michael's College.In 1967, Rod and his wife, Alicia Velasco, moved to Morrisville where they raised three sons, Joseph, Michael and Bruce. Rod taught at Lamoille Union High School and partnered in real estate with Robert Ianni before starting his own real estate firm, Mountain View Properties. For nearly 25 years, Rod was a guidance counselor at Twinfield Union High School in Plainfield, and for many of those years he served as the director of Morristown Recreation. He coached boys and girls basketball, cross-country running and baseball. His passion for education and dedication to youth changed the lives of countless students throughout northeastern Vermont. Rod was an avid hiker, camper, photographer and runner. From the age of 40 through 62, Rod ran 14 marathons and hiked the Long Trail. For many years he and his second wife, Rose, organized fun runs and road races in Morrisville. In 2005, Rod retired early from Twinfield to care for Rose, who lived on in his heart long after her passing. Rod's friends will remember him best for generosity of heart and his dry, quick humor. His family will remember him best for limitless love and dedication. His three sons will tell you there could never be a better father, friend or standard from which to take measure.Rod is survived by his sisters, Judy and Janet; his first wife, Alicia; his three sons, Joseph, Michael and his wife Diana, and Bruce; Migue, his adored and adoring grandson; his nephews and nieces, Doug, Jill, Tim, Mary Beth, Todd and their families; three step-daughters, Esther Kinney, Barbara Nadeau and family and Karen Kinney; several family members in and from Mexico City; his beloved dog, Taz, who followed him wherever he went; and countless friends who will forever miss him and carry his memory.A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Church in Morrisville. Visitation will be Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the White-Fiess Funeral Home, 165 Brooklyn St., Morrisville.In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the American Liver Foundation, www.liverfoundation.org.