Harold Adams Davis, Jr.

Allen, Maryland — Harold Adams Davis, Jr., 93, passed away at his home on March 30, 2021.

Born on December 16, 1927, Harold was raised on the family farm at Hudson’s Corner in Somerset County, Maryland. He was the son of the late Harold Adams Davis, Sr. and Margaret Nelson Davis.

Harold graduated from Marion High School and attended Western Maryland College before serving in the Army from 1946 to 1948. Following his service, he graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, and then began his career working for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, first in the Fisheries Division, and then as Chief of the Oyster Propagation Program, until his retirement in 1983.

In addition to his love of woodworking and the remodeling of the family home where he had resided since 1965, Harold was an avid gardener, well known for his large garden and asparagus patches, as well as a botanist, bird watcher, historian, and genealogist.  He was also an enthusiastic reader, always seeking new information, especially pertaining to agriculture, science, archeology, and history.  He was a member of Allen Asbury United Methodist Church in Allen, a founding Director of the Allen Volunteer Fire Co., and past member of the Allen Lions Club, where he helped with annual Beef Dinners and other community activities for many years.

Harold was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, cousin, and a loyal friend to many.  He will always be remembered as a kindhearted, giving man, with a great sense of humor, who greatly enjoyed bestowing creative nicknames to family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Florence Eskridge Davis; his parents, Harold Adams Davis, Sr. and Margaret Nelson Davis; his brother, William “Billy” Thomas Davis; great niece Blair Davis; and great nephew, Tyler Adams

He is survived by his daughters, Carol Davis Hobbs and husband Richard Hobbs of Fruitland, MD; Laura Davis Mears and husband William Thomas Mears of Berlin, MD; four grandchildren, Carrie Hobbs Ford and husband Evan Ford, Elizabeth Hobbs, Davis Mears, and Will Mears; two great-grand daughters, Caroline Ford and Savannah Ford; nephews and nieces, Tom Davis and wife Lisa of Centreville, Holly Davis Abel and husband Richard of Centreville, Gary Eskridge and wife Pam of Galestown, Janet Eskridge Nicholas and husband Ray of Vienna, Judy Gucker and husband Ed of Brockport, NY; great nieces and nephews, Brandon Davis,  Jeremy Davis, Stacy Davis, Ben Eskridge, Emily Eskridge Gilmer, Ray Nicholas III, Charles Dorgan, Stacy Dorgan Bentz; and great-great nieces and nephew, Josephine Davis, Fiona and Leo Bentz; and cousins Sally Davis Gnowles, Bobby Davis, and Mary Ann Peterman.

There will be a graveside service at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at Allen Asbury United Methodist Church in Allen. Visitation with family will be from 1:00–1:45 pm. Pastor Betsy Blake Jones will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Allen Asbury United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 123, Allen, MD 21810; the Allen Volunteer Fire Co., P.O. Box 128, Allen, MD 21810; or Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802.  We kindly request that anyone attending the service wear a mask in accordance with CDC guidelines.