Obituary

Gregory “Greg” J. Davis, aged 66, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away on September 1, 2024, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
Greg was born on December 7, 1957, to Sarah Joan Zella and Robert Homer Davis in Dayton, Ohio. He was the second of eight children and their first son, attending Corpus Christi school and Chaminade-Julienne where he graduated in 1976. He studied Mechanical Engineering at The Ohio State University and Wright State University, earning his Bachelor of Science degree. He went on to work at Heidelberg, Kodak, Yaskawa Motoman, KC Robotics, and, most recently, Allied Motion Technologies. While working, he obtained his project manager certification and was an active member with the Project Management Institute.

Greg became highly involved with the girls’ fastpitch softball community in the area, coaching his daughters for many summers and helping them improve their skills. When his own girls quit playing, he continued to coach and run camps for many years. His passion and commitment to the sport led Englewood Little League to honor him with a field named after him at Centennial Park.

An avid cyclist, Greg was known to ride over a hundred miles a week. He rode his entire life and often participated in charity rides, such as the Clemens Cancer Challenge. He could be seen riding his electric green bicycle on bike trails all over the greater Dayton area wearing bright shirts. Often he rode alone, but many times he enjoyed rides with friends or family.

Greg could easily be described as a nerd, as he loved watching sci-fi shows like Stargate SG-1, Battlestar Galactica, and Star Wars, though he also watched NCIS reruns repeatedly. He enjoyed playing strategy-oriented computer games, mainly Civilization IV, solitaire, and sudoku. As a history buff, he enjoyed movies and shows about World War II. Family history and ancestry became a passion as he scanned scores of family photos and updated the family tree.

Throughout his life, Greg was a dedicated father to his two daughters Andrea and Tiffany from his first marriage. He taught them the importance of humor and only growing up as much as was necessary. He found creative ways to coach them in sports when they often refused to listen to him specifically. Many times, he was right, but they did not want him to know that. His signature 85-15 rule and remarks of, “Does that smell ok to you?” and “Don’t hurt nobody” followed him and other members of the family for most of his life. He was entertained subjecting boyfriends, friends, or anyone else who was brought around to “moron tests,” and he delighted in teasing his loved ones with cicada shells or live cicadas. Eventually, his children were able to return to favor and tease him. There is little that could have made him prouder.

Greg was a proud, involved grandpa to his grandson, Lucius. He never missed an opportunity to pass on his jokes, laugh over the funny way Lucius pronounced “sauce” when he was two, or teach him new ways to get amusing glares out of his mom, aunt, and grandma. He loved going on adventures and getting beat at Uno when his grandson would spend the night, and always made time to cheer him on and give him some pointers at his sports games. More recently, he enjoyed traveling to watch Lucius perform with his high school marching band at halftime during Friday night football games.

In 2017, after decades of searching, Greg finally met the woman of his dreams in Paige Cromar Jones. When telling his children about her, he sounded like a high schooler talking about a crush. On June 16, 2018, they married as best friends and had a boisterous party at Carillon Brewing Company with as many family members and friends as possible. Their lives together were built on love, loyalty, and friendship. They packed many adventures into the six short years they were married, including their love of ballroom dancing, travel, and building on to their home.

Those who met Greg rarely forgot him. He was quick with a joke, wit, or wise words. While often a silly goose, he was also a man of wisdom and sage advice. His stepsons Ryan and Justin Jones revered him like a father.

Greg was preceded in death by his father, Robert Homer Davis, and his brother, John Davis. He is survived by his wife, Paige Davis, his mother, Sarah Joan Davis, two daughters, Andrea Klingler and Tiffany Davis, grandson Lucius Smith, siblings Terri Davis Coldiron, Ann Davis, Steve Davis, Tom Davis, Joe Davis, and Phil Davis, many cousins, and dozens of extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Pelotonia.org, a cycling community organization committed to accelerate innovative cancer research.

Visitation will be 4-7pm, Friday, September 13, 2024 at Tobias Funeral Home, Far Hills Chapel. The Funeral Service will be held at 1pm the following day, Saturday, at the funeral home. More information at www.tobiasfuneralhome.com.