Carl Marvin Davis

Carl Marvin Davis, age 88, passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Pleasant Ridge Manor in Girard, Pennsylvania following a brief illness.

His death occurred nearly one year to the day after the passing of his wife Sally, his soulmate of almost 65 years.

Carl was born in Fairview Township on November 25, 1936, a snowy winter day, to the late Marvin and Pauline (Fischer) Davis.

He met his wife Sally Griggs in 1958, and they married a year later, living and raising their family of three children on Van Camp Road in Fairview.

Carl took over his family’s home egg delivery service in the 1950s and continued delivering eggs to families until the death of his brother, Wayne Leonard Davis, in 1961 which changed the course of Carl’s life. His family founded the WLD Ranch in 1963, and Carl was the first caretaker of the Ranch. Then, in the early 1970s, he began a nearly 30-year career with The Fairview School District, beginning as a bus driver and retiring as the head custodian of the high school.

Carl was an avid outdoorsman who looked forward to deer season every year and loved having a fishing pole in his hand. He raised rabbits throughout his life, and his rabbit hobby took off after his retirement. He attended rabbit shows and built his “Blue Bunny Barn” in his backyard. He was out in his garden during most of the spring and summer, and he was known for his tomatoes, which he sold at his home vegetable stand.

Carl lived a simple but fulfilling life. He preferred cherry pie over cake for his birthday. He loved visiting with neighbors on his porch during warm days. You would often be able to find Carl by following the sounds of his big belly laugh. Yes, he played the role of Santa Claus several times! Carl had a gift for noticing the loners and outsiders wherever he was, going out of his way to befriend them.

Most important to Carl was his faith. He was a member of the Federated Church of East Springfield. He had a special place in his heart for children and taught kindergarten Sunday School, where he would regularly bring pretzels so the children would leave his class with something in their hearts and their stomachs.

In addition to his parents and his wife Sally, he is preceded in death by his son Mark A. Davis and his brother Wayne Leonard Davis.

Carl is survived by his two daughters: Valarie (Craig) Mayle of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Carrie Christina (Paul) Kan of Burlington, Ontario, Canada; his brother Norman (Joann) Davis; his only granddaughter Amy Mayle and five nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the WLD Ranch on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 3:00pm until the time of service at 4:00pm.

Arrangements entrusted to Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main Street East, Girard.

Memorials may be made to the WLD Ranch, 7351 Woolsey Rd. Girard, Pa. 16417

Send condolences to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com