|
Harry Daves |
|
|
Harry G. Daves,
Jr., 84, of Old River-Winfree, died on Monday, July 28, 2008 at his home. He
was born on September 17, 1923 in San Bernardino, California, a son of
Sallie Robertson (Shannon) and Harry Grady Daves, Sr.
He grew up in Baytown, where he attended Robert E. Lee High School.
Following his graduation, he volunteered for the U.S. Navy during World War
II and served in their amphibious division. He made five major beachhead
landings during the war, earning a Purple Heart, a Silver Star, a Navy &
Marine Corps Commendation Medal and numerous other medals for his service.
After his return from the Navy, he was married in 1946 to Jeffie Herron of
Highlands, and they made their home in Old River-Winfree, where they raised
their two daughters, Louise and Bess Ann. He went to work that same year at
Exxon's Baytown Refinery working as a machinist in the mechanical division.
After 31 years with the Baytown Refinery, Harry retired in 1977 to work on
his farm and ranch. He also became a volunteer to many historic preservation
groups in the area. These included the Wallisville Heritage Park, where he
served faithfully on the board of directors; the Chambers County Historical
Commission, where he most recently served as chair of the historical
cemeteries committee; the Liberty County Historical Commission, where he
oversaw the ringing of the Liberty Bell on special occasions; and as
chaplain of Spaight's Battalion Camp #858, Sons of Confederate Veterans. He
was also an ordained Southern Baptist minister.
He was extremely proud of his service as president of the Jacob Shannon
Evergreen Cemetery in Dobbin, Texas, a burial ground established by his
great-grandfather in 1840. He was a great-great-grandson of American
Revolutionary War Veteran Owen Shannon and his wife Margaret Montgomery,
pioneer settlers of the old Lake Creek Settlement in Montgomery County.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Louise Daves; and his
brother Rev. John M. Daves.
Survivors include his wife, Jeffie; his daughter, Bessie Ann; his sisters,
Kay Mitchell and BeBe Armstrong; and by his granddaughters, Louise's
daughter Heather Frazier and Bess Ann's daughter Candace Cherry.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Luis E. Gonzalez-Fraga and his staff, Faith
Community Hospice, and caregiver Belinda Blair for their many kind deeds
over the course of Harry's illness.
The family will receive friends Thursday, July 31, 2008 from 5:30 p.m. to
8:00 p.m. at Navarre Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be Friday, August 1, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Navarre
Funeral Home with Rev. Danny Biddy officiating. A Graveside services will
follow at 2 p.m. at the Jacob Shannon Evergreen Cemetery in Dobbin.
Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation
Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, Texas 77521, (281) 422-8111 |
