SPRINGFIELD - Earl E. "Sonny" Davis Jr., 73, died Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at his home, surrounded by family.

He was born Nov. 12, 1943, in Springfield, the son of Marian (Day) and Earl E. Davis Sr. He graduated in 1962 from Springfield High School.

Mr. Davis was a veteran of the U.S. Army and later, the Army National Guard with the 744th in the Persian Gulf as part of Desert Storm /Desert Shield, retiring as Sergeant after over 25 years of service.

He married Elaine P. Blanchard May 13, 1971, in Claremont, New Hampshire.
In earlier years, he worked on the Earl Aldrich Farm in Springfield. After his first tour of military service, he was employed at Fellows Gear Shaper, drove tractor-trailer trucks for Webster Trucking and Land & Air Trucking, and delivered coal for Johnson & Dix. He worked for over 20 years for New England South Bell Telephone Co. in Claremont and Manchester, New Hampshire, and for Montgomery Wards, also in Manchester. Most recently, he drove shuttle bus for Okemo Mountain in Ludlow, for seven years.

Mr. Davis enjoyed working on trucks, woodworking, string art and metal art, western stories and movies, fishing, motorcycle riding, and was a CB radio enthusiast. He also played softball and umpired games, bowled in candlepin leagues and managed roller skating for the Springfield and Claremont community centers. He volunteered for Springfield's Alumni Association Alumni Parade and for the North School Preservation Society.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Patricia Alio, and Misty Davis; two siblings, John Davis and Elizabeth Davis; four grandchildren; two nieces and two nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Linda Pering.

At his request, there will be no services. A private gathering will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Red Cross of Vermont, 29 Mansfield Ave., Burlington, VT 05401; Springfield Alumni Association, 13 Fairgrounds Road, Springfield, VT 05156; Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 of Claremont, NH; or North School Preservation Society.

Arrangements are by Davis Memorial Chapel.

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Published in Rutland Herald from May 15 to May 16, 2017.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rutlandherald/obituary.aspx?n=earl-e-davis&pid=185389142&fhid=23407