Lawrence “L. D.” Davis, 84, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, went home to be with his Heavenly Father at Great Bend Regional Hospital on May 27, 2016. Born Sept. 6, 1931, at Oswego, he was the son of Lawrence James and Cora (Helton) Davis. He graduated from Hudson High School in 1949. Mr. Davis served in the United States Navy in San Diego in 1951. In 1953, he married Eleanor Fischer, and to this union Dawn Davis was born. The couple later divorced. In 1969, he married Marilyn Gunter in St. Louis, Mo., after only knowing her for five months. From this union Larry and Mark Davis were born.

Following his military service, L.D. worked for LK Parrish as an oilfield pumper for many years. Soon after, he formed LD Drilling and started drilling for oil. A “legend” in the oil and gas industry, Mr. Davis was owner and operator of LD Drilling, Inc., Davis Petroleum and AW Industries, along with a variety of business partners and businesses, becoming well known in the business.

Mr. Davis was a member of First Baptist Church of Ellinwood, was a devout Christian with a heart of gold. His kindness and generosity for helping others was commonplace, always willing to lend a helping hand. He was known for his contagious smile. He was also a member of KIOGA and IPAA. He was a 2008 inductee into the Kansas Oil and Gas Hall of Fame and was a member of the American State Bank and Trust Co., board of directors. He played an active role in the Republican Party.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn, of the home; one daughter, Dawn Brummitt and her husband Scott of San Diego; two sons, Larry Davis of Frisco, Texas, and Mark Davis and his wife Kathleen of Great Bend; four sisters, Bessie DeWerff of Ellinwood, Dolores Willinger, Marilyn Kasselman and her husband George, and Joyce Rose all of Great Bend; grandchildren, Machaela Davis of Hays, and Aidan Davis, Isabella Davis and Quinlynn Davis, all of Great Bend, and step-granddaughter, Jessica Way of Benson, Minn.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 2, 2016, at the First Assembly of God, Great Bend, with Pastor Dave Wesner of the First Baptist Church, Ellinwood, officiating. Burial will be in Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery, Ellinwood. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to First Baptist Church of Ellinwood Mission Fund or First Assembly of God of Great Bend Mission Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home**

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 31, 2016