Mark Lofland Davis Ii

Mark Lofland Davis II, 95, died at his home in Ellendale, Delaware on July 2, 2024, after a brief illness, with his wife of 70 years at his side.

Mr. Davis grew up in Milford, Delaware and attended Milford schools until the end of his sophomore year when he joined his father in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He graduated from Rindge Technical High School in 1946 followed by 1 year of college in Massachusetts. In 1948 he enlisted in the U.S. Army, served in the 59th Chemical Maintenance Company, and was Honorably discharged in 1950. After discharge Mr. Davis returned to his hometown of Milford, Delaware, and worked for Modern Services, a regional laundry, as a salesman and route manager. He entered Lehigh University, graduating in 1954 with a B.S. in Business Administration.

Following graduation, he taught business courses at Kennett High School in Conway, New Hampshire, for two years. This was followed by two years employment with Atlantic Refining Company, as a Service Salesman, in Salisbury, Maryland. In 1958 he entered Duke University graduating in 1960 with a Master of Forestry Degree. This was followed by 4 years in Alaska as the Matanuska/Susitna District (forest) Fire Supervisor with the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM). In the winter he was “loaned” to the BLM Land Office and examined homesteads to make sure that applicants had fulfilled all government requirements necessary to receive patent (deed) to the land. He was subsequently sent to the BLM office in Canon City, Colorado where he was the (forest) Rehabilitation officer.

In 1966 he returned to Delaware because of family concerns, settled on a farm in Ellendale where he raised Dexter Cattle, a heritage breed. He taught general science in Milford Middle School for 8 years followed by 17 years as Vice-Principal and Youth Advisor in Sussex County Vocational Technical High School, retiring from the school system in 1991. Following retirement, he joined the firm of Dean Whitter Reynolds as a Financial Advisor for 5 years. Never one to be inactive, Mr. Davis established a small business in professional photography and was a member of the Delaware Society of Professional Photographers. He was a member of the American Mustang and Burro Association for many years and acting CEO for 8 years. In addition, he served as a member of the First State Resource, Conservation and Development Council (RC &D) for over 50 years. He was a member of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the Irish Society of Delaware.

Mr. Davis is survived by his wife, Marjorie C. Davis, of Ellendale; a sister, Rachele Davis Dakos, of Tucson, Arizona and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at the Ellendale Volunteer Fire Hall, 302 Main St. Ellendale, DE at 12 noon on Friday, July 26. The family requests that no flowers be sent but donations may be made to the Ellendale Volunteer Fire Company, PO Box 5, Ellendale, DE in Mr. Davis’s memory. Arrangements are in the care of Berry-Short Funeral Home, Milford.