John R. “Big John” Davis, age 72, of Dunkerton, died on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at his home.

He was born on November 5, 1944 in Oelwein, IA; the son of Raymond and Ila (Steemen) Davis. John attended Dunkerton High School. He married Sharon A. Riemcke on September 23, 1970 in Cedar Falls. John received a purple heart while serving in the U.S. Army during Vietnam from 1966, until his honorable discharge in 1968.

He worked as an equipment operator at Davis Sand & Gravel; he later worked at Titus Manufacturing, and then John Deere; he most recently worked in delivery at Scot’s Supply.

John was an avid racing fan and participant, he spent a lifetime enjoying racing with his family at the Cedar Falls Raceway; he started Davis Racing.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon; two daughters, Michelle (Matt) Westendorf of Dunkerton and Kim Clair of Tama; a son, John (Lisa) Davis of Dunkerton; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and two on the way; four sisters, Jill Davis of Waterloo, Michaelanne (Doug) Johnson of Colorado Springs, CO, Becky Reid of Riverton, ID, and Sherri (John) Hurlburt of Las Vegas, NV; four brothers, Kork (Jackie) Davis of Cedar Falls, Pete Davis of Dunkerton, Alan (Marlys) Schoewalter of Springfield, MO; and Kevin Lamb of San Diego, CA.

Preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Leslie Davis