WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA
Dean Robert Davis died on October 10, 2023 in Wilmington, NC surrounded by his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Carol Wallace Davis; his three devoted children and their spouses, Carrie Davis Conway and husband Joe of Atlanta, GA; Judson Michael Davis and wife Katie of Wilmington, NC; and Mary Davis Tiahlo and husband Matt of Winchester, England; his sister, Barbara Davis Garry of High Point, NC; and his brother, Mark Sage Davis and his wife Carol of Franklin, IN. Dean is also survived by his three grandchildren, who knew him affectionately as “Daddy Dean”: Michael “Finn” Conway, Zoe Wynne Tiahlo, and William James Davis. In addition, he is survived by his sister-in-law, Mary Beth Wallace, and her partner Meredith Brooks of Cedar Mountain, NC; his brother-in-law James Edward Wallace, Jr. of Wrightsville Beach, NC; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Ivan Garry, and his parents, James Robert Davis and Priscilla Sage Davis.
Dean was born on April 1, 1944 in Wabash, Indiana. He spent his childhood in rural Franklin, Indiana, where his parents and uncle had a veterinary practice. He graduated from Franklin Community High School in 1962 and earned an academic and athletic scholarship to Wabash College. Dean was a gifted athlete, excelling at basketball, baseball and football. High school friends remember his beautiful jump shot. Following college, he earned a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps and trained as a helicopter pilot. Dean served 12 months in Vietnam flying CH46 helicopters on transport, resupply and medical evacuation missions. Soon after returning from his tour of duty, he visited his sister Barbara in Atlanta, GA, who set him up on a blind date with her roommate, Carol. Dean and Carol married following a 3-month long distance courtship and spent their first year of married life in California. Dean rose to the rank of Captain before leaving the Marines to pursue a law degree at Emory University. Following graduation, he worked for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office in Atlanta then moved to Wilmington, NC, where he and Carol put down roots. Dean worked in private practice for 40 years and always viewed the law as a helping profession.
Among many other fine qualities, Dean will be remembered for his intellectual curiosity, good nature, generosity, tolerance, humility, and patience. His children remember him getting up before sunrise to read the classics and study Latin and Greek. He participated in numerous marathons, triathlons, and road races over the years with his dear friend Lee Crouch. Even into his late 70s, he enjoyed running, cycling and working out at the YMCA. Some of his favorite things were travel, reading, and his dog Moby. His love of food and a good pint was legendary. Dean was very involved in the lives of his children – coaching their basketball teams and involving them in various self-improvement projects. He was a serious-minded person but had a wry sense of humor and a lawyerly fondness for well-considered phrasing.
He will be dearly missed by all who love him.
