Monday, October 19, 2026 3:26 pm

Roger Dale Davis, 69, passed away peacefully at Duke University Hospital on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, surrounded by his family. He leaves behind a lifetime of cherished memories, laughter, and love.

Born in March 1957, Roger was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. With his larger-than-life personality, warm heart, and genuine love for others, Roger had a special way of making everyone around him feel welcome. He never met a stranger, and those fortunate enough to know him knew that life was simply more fun when Roger was around.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eva Jo Davis and George Clayton Newton; his stepfather, Dual Davis; his father-in-law, Donald Gorman; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ronnie and Janet Sisk.

Roger leaves behind his loving wife of 41 years, Donnis Davis; his children, Mischia Taylor and husband Greg, Jennifer Wiggins and husband Jacob, and Hal Alexander and wife Katie; and the six grandchildren who brought him his greatest joy: Brycen, Elease, Paisley, Callie, Baleigh, and Stone. He is also survived by his brother, Ronnie Davis and wife Kristy; his sister, Lisa Bridges and husband Buster; his sister-in-law, Kay White; and many extended family members and dear friends who will forever cherish his memory.

Roger's love for sports and his hometown began early in life. A proud Shelby High School Golden Lion, his school spirit and love for Shelby football never faded. Nothing made him prouder than watching his children and grandchildren carry on the Golden Lion tradition.

Roger spent much of his professional career at Shelby City Park. It was where he worked alongside some of his closest friends, built lifelong relationships, and discovered his passion for creating places where families could gather, children could laugh, and memories could be made. That passion eventually led him into the field of playground safety, where he dedicated his knowledge and experience to ensuring children had safe places to play. He was proud to be one of the original members of the National Playground Contractors Association International (NPCAI) and to serve on the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) testing committee. He also took great pride in earning his contractor's license, an accomplishment that reflected his determination, hard work, and commitment to doing things well.

Roger's talents and work ethic extended far beyond any one career. Throughout his life, he also worked at Cleveland and Isothermal Community Colleges. He was truly a jack of all trades, from working as a locksmith to delivering newspapers in the middle of the night. There wasn't much Roger couldn't figure out, fix, or find a way to accomplish. He believed in working hard, learning new things, and doing whatever needed to be done.

Roger was also a wonderful basketball and baseball coach who loved sharing his knowledge, encouraging young athletes, and helping them develop confidence both on and off the field. He understood that coaching was about much more than winning games. It was about building character, teaching teamwork, creating memories, and making a difference in the lives of others.

Music was another special part of Roger's life. A talented singer and guitar player, he was one of the founding members of a band called Sundance. He loved entertaining others, whether performing with the band, picking up his guitar for family and friends, or taking the microphone for a little karaoke. Even in recent years, Roger could still be found pulling out his guitar, singing a favorite song, or surprising everyone with an impromptu performance. Music was just another way he shared his larger-than-life personality and brought joy to those around him.

Of course, Roger's entertainment didn't stop with music. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved nothing more than making people laugh, whether telling a joke, listening to a good one, or pulling off one of his infamous pranks. And if he could scare you in the process, that was even better! No one was safe from Roger jumping out from behind a door, hiding around a corner, or appearing unexpectedly on the side of the road during a conveniently timed "car breakdown." He found pure joy in catching someone off guard, and his laughter afterward was often just as memorable as the prank itself. Those who knew Roger learned to expect the unexpected, and the stories of his antics will undoubtedly be told, with laughter, for generations to come.

Above all else, Roger was a family man. His wife, children, and grandchildren were the center of his world, and he treasured every opportunity to make memories with them. Whether traveling to the beach, exploring the mountains, enjoying family dinners, or heading off on another Disney adventure, Roger made sure there was never a shortage of laughter or fun. Disney held a particularly special place in his heart, especially the Haunted Mansion, which seemed perfectly suited for a man who loved a good scare as much as he loved a good laugh. For Roger, the magic was never just about the destination. It was about the people beside him and the memories they made together.

A member of Eastside Baptist Church, Roger valued his faith, his family, and the relationships he built within his church community.

Roger's legacy will never be measured simply by the years he lived, but by the love he gave, the laughter he shared, and the countless memories he created. His family will forever remember his stories, his talents, his mischievous sense of humor, and the way he made every gathering a little brighter.

Though he will be deeply missed, a little piece of Roger will live on in every family tradition, every shared laugh, every song played on a guitar, every trip to the beach or mountains, and every magical moment at Disney.

Roger spent his life making people laugh, occasionally making them scream, and always making them feel loved. We will miss his laughter, his jokes, his music, and even those unexpected scares. But the stories he gave us will keep us smiling for years to come.

The world is a better place because Roger was in it.

To celebrate the life of Roger, the family will receive friends from 3:00 - 4:30 PM Saturday, October 24th, 2026 at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, October 25, 2026 at Eastside Baptist Church in Shelby. Burial will follow the service at Sunset Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to the Lung Transplant Foundation, an organization founded by lung transplant recipients to provide support, encouragement, and guidance to transplant patients and their caregivers through its mentorship program.

Donations may be made online at www.lungtransplantfoundation.org

Online condolences may be made at www.Cecil Burton funeral home.com

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.


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Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory
106 Cherryville Rd., Shelby NC 28150
704-480-8383