Dean A. Davis, 72, Olathe, Kansas, died May 26, 1993 at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Wyandotte, Kansas.

He was born Nov. 13, 1920, in Minneapolis, Ottawa County, KS., the third child of Andrew E. and Rhoda E.(Bain) Davis.
The family moved to the DeSoto, KS. area by 1928 and to the Olathe area by 1930. Dad finished his schooling at St. John's Memorial High School.
When World War II broke out, Dad was working for the Union Gas Company but went immediately and enlisted in the U.S. Marines. His brother Vance had already enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Vance eventually served aboard numerous submarines including his tenth & final mission aboard the U.S.S. Grayback. She was sunk by the Japanese in Feb. 1944. The entire crew was lost.
Dad was injured twice during battles at Guadacanal. Besides earning medals for marksmanship and a Presidential citation, he was a Purple Heart recipient. He left the U.S. Marines with the rank of Corporal.
He married Gussie Lackey in August of 1944 and they became the parents of eight children: Gary, Alan, Dennis, Darlene, Richard, Gayle, Denise and Patty Davis.
They built their own home with extensive brickwork exposed. It was years in the making but a lovely home was the result of all the hard work.
After serving the military he went back to construction work and eventually owned his own company. His specialty was building fireplaces. He believed in doing quality work and never building two the same identical way. Still today there are many fireplaces and brick veneers around the Olathe, Lawrence, Gardner, Spring Hill and Kansas City area that have his distinct workmanship in them. After the 1957 devastation from a tornado in the Ruskin Heights area he traveled there to help rebuild.
He was a member of the V.F.W.
He was an avid hunter, enjoyed fishing, playing cards and watching the Royals baseball team when he could catch a game. He attended one of the Royals home games and truly was amazed by the stadium.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Davis (1967) Rhoda Davis (1951): brother, Vance E. Davis (1944): nephew, Victor E. Ferrell (1985): two granddaughters, Gail I. Franks (1967) and Crystal Dawn Davis (1978): and father-in-law, Thomas F. Lackey (1992).
He is survived by his wife, Gussie, still in the home they built: all eight children: sister, Verla Marie Davis, Ferrell, Lueck, Frey: two nieces, Larna Beth (Lueck) Chesney, Mesa, Ariz., and Linda (Lueck) Ray, Baldwin City, KS.: one nephew, Lloyd T. Lueck, Wichita, KS.: thirteen grandchildren and one great-granddaughter: and mother-in-law, Elsie Connaughy of Paola, KS.
Funeral services were held at W.L. Frye & Son Funeral Home, Olathe.
Burial at Olathe Memorial Cemetery.