Services for Melvin Davis, 75, of Lindsay were held on Monday, Dec. 29 at Webb-Sanders Funeral Home with Pastor Samuel Estes officiating. Burial was at Woodville Public Cemetery. He passed away on Monday, Dec. 22.
He was born on May 22, 1928 in Oklahoma. He married Patsy Durham on May 7, 1949 in Visalia. He moved to the Lindsay-Strathmore area in 1945 after serving in the United States Navy during World War II. He and his wife bought their ranch in Lindsay in October 1951. He worked for Lindsay Ripe Olive for 26 years and held numerous positions. He was a draftsman, engineer, welder and fabricator; he made the large olive that sits in front of the Lindsay Olive Tree Restaurant. He had many hobbies including gardening, especially roses, woodworking, making children's toys, and raising cattle, chickens and goats. He enjoyed farming and fishing. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Lindsay.
Survivors include his wife, Patsy Davis of Lindsay; sons, Jerry Davis, Sr. of Lindsay and Terry Davis of Modesto; daughters, Linda Wright of Bakersfield and Judy Speaks of Anchorage, Alaska; sister, Pauline Harten of Charlotte, N.C.; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to Hospice of Tulare County, 900 W. Oak Ave., Visalia, CA 93291.
Arrangements were under the direction of Webb-Sanders Funeral Home, Lindsay.
