Marvin James Davis

Marvin James Davis, of Milford, Delaware, peacefully passed away on October 23, 2023, surrounded by his family at Bayhealth Hospital in Milford. He was 90 years old.

He was born August 24, 1933 to the late Jehu and Mary (French) Davis. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Thomas Davis, Jehu Davis Jr.; his sister, Norma Potter; and his grandson, Ryan Davis.

Marvin grew up in Milford and graduated from Milford High School in 1951. He proudly served his country in the United States Army, serving from 1955-1957. After bootcamp, he was stationed in Germany. Once he returned, he married the love of his life, Charlotte Ann Noble of Harrington on November 16, 1957. They eventually moved to the family farm continuing his long life in agriculture. Marvin was a proud dairy and crop farmer. Their family farm, Swan Creek Farm became a Century Farm in 1997. He spent his years working in the farming and agricultural industry across Delmarva. In 2012, he was recognized for his nearly 10 years of devotion and dedicated service to the Council on Transportation for the State of Delaware. With a lifelong passion for farming, he was an active champion for Delaware farmers throughout the entire Delaware Route 1 Project. He was also proud to have served on the Kent County Regional Planning Commission with distinction from December 12, 1978 to January 3, 1991.

You could often find Marvin with his friends of the Cedarfield Ruritan fulfilling their civic duties, McDonald’s on Saturday mornings, and Rocky’s on Wednesdays for lunch. Every few months, he would join the local farmers at Fred and Reds hunting lodge for a home cooked meal and a lot of shooting the breeze. Marvin loved to take his afternoon rides to catch up with local farmers and check on the progress of their crops.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Charlotte of Milford, DE; three children, Jan Donovan (Nelson) of Georgetown, DE, Todd Davis (Diane) of Milford, DE, and Kelly Nelson (Harlan) of Milford, DE. Marvin was a blessed man with many grandchildren, Mary Jones (Kyle) of Lewes, DE, Amy Donovan (Zack Bister) of Georgetown, DE, Casey Donovan (Lindsey Perry), of Milford, DE, Brandon Nelson (Alex Mallard) of Milford, DE, and Kylie Nelson of Milford, DE. Other joys were his great-grandchildren, Lukin, Nolan, Deacon, Remy, Ryann, and another sweet girl on the way.

A funeral service will be held at Berry Short Funeral Home, 119 NW Front St. Milford, DE 19963, on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Visitation will be from 11:00am–1:00pm with the service beginning at 1:00pm. Burial will be at Milford Community Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Cedarfield Ruritan Club, 21059 Cubbage Pond Road, Lincoln, DE 19960. Online condolences may be sent to the family at https://www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com/.