Jon Mark “Franky” Davis passed away Thursday, September 7, 2023 in his daughter Michelle’s home, as his wife Deborah, daughter Michelle, son-in-law James, and granddaughter Laura held his hands. Jon had been in hospice care since Friday, September 1st, having been diagnosed with stage 4b metastatic stomach cancer just weeks before. It was his wish that his wife Deborah Lee Davis’ beautiful face be the last thing he saw before leaving this world, and it was so.
Many times, perhaps even most of the time, when people pass we don’t see it coming and don’t have the opportunity to say the things we later wished we had said. We are grateful that wasn’t the case with Jon Mark “Franky”.
In his final days, Jon welcomed a long list of family and friends. He got to spend time with his daughter Michelle, son-in-law James, and sons David, and Stephen. He visited with his brother Rick, Rick’s wife Judy, and his sister Linda, as well as his cousins Cliff, Cliff’s wife Joyce, and his cousin Kimmy. He also saw many of his nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, his children from his first marriage, many of his grandchildren, and his great-grandson. Several friends, both old and new, also stopped in to express their love. Among them were his good friends Mike, Sal, and Pedro.
Jon grew up in the Southside of St Joseph and attended Benton High School. He served three years in the Navy before attending MWSC where he graduated with an associate’s degree. He worked over a decade at Friskies as a maintenance mechanic and two decades at Ford Motor Company as an electrician. He retired from Ford in the winter of 2021.
Jon was an ornery jokester beloved by all. He had a knack for finding treasures disguised as junk and selling them for impressive profits. He was a generous man who would happily give family or friends the shirt off his back. He was also a tremendous resource —whatever it is you may have needed, Jon Mark “knew a guy.”
Jon and Deborah celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary on April 13th, 2023.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Eva (Taylor) Davis; his adopted grandson, Markitos; his brother, Edwin Floyd Davis; brothers-in-law, David Buxton and Doug Mayhugh; numerous aunts and uncles, cousins and a great-nephew.
Survivors include his wife, Deborah; daughter, Michelle Morgan (James); sons, David Davis (Heather) and Stephen Davis; adopted daughter, Gabriela Maytorena (Marco Torres); grandchildren, German, Shyann, Jonas, Dalton, Maxwell, Maddie, Jacob, Laura, Mallory, Maya, Ben, Kenzie, Emma, Tessa, Gabriel and Dylan; brother, Richard Davis (Judy); sister, Linda Day; brother-in-law, Ray Buxton (Connie); sisters-in-law, Gloria Mayhugh and Cindy Notbusch; numerous cousins, including special cousin Clifford Bellomy (Joyce); numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, other extended family members and friends, including Mike, Sal, Pedro, Walt and Melissa Brown, John Wayne and Janice Cluck.
Celebration of Life 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Sunday at his daughter Michelle’s house, 2201 Green Meadows Court, St. Joseph, MO 64506. Natural Farewell under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory.
