The Observation Deck

Obituary - McGorry-Hanna Funeral Home
https://www.mcgorray.com/obituaries/STE ... rRaBCNZYwM

STEPHEN MICHAEL DAVIS
8/15/1954 – 12/2/2020

Steve was born in Bedford, Ohio to Kenneth and Jacquelyn Davis. He and his sister Christie Crane (David Crane) lived in many states throughout the U.S and Western Samoa before returning to Ohio to complete high school at Western Reserve Academy and college at Ohio University. He and his wife, Ruthy Davis (nee Mallinak), raised five children, Lindsay Miller, Drake Miller (Jen Miller), Kelsey Whitacre (Donnie Whitacre), Julianne Davis and Trevor Davis. Their family was further expanded by the addition of eight grandchildren and a pack of loyal pooches.

A reliable phone-a-friend; Steve was a lifelong learner, eager to share trivia with anyone who would listen. Self-taught in a variety of skills, he approached nearly everything in an unconventional way, whether it be open tuning of his various stringed instruments or woodworking without the assistance of power tools. His disdain for the extravagant was reflected in his easily-recognizable uniform of white button-up shirt, blue jeans and Birkenstocks.

Although firm in his beliefs, he always sought to understand others’ points of view. His ability to listen and pose thought-provoking questions made him an engaging partner in conversation or debate. His influence expanded well beyond his immediate family. He remained an active participant in local politics throughout his time in the community. Nobody would have guessed a person who grew up in places as far-flung as Upstate New York and Western Samoa was as well-connected as any native Lakewoodite.

He had a kind and gentle heart and enjoyed spending time with his Lakewood family including four grandchildren and nephew, Matt Mallinak. The driveway was his social club and he was quick to pull up a lawn chair and offer a cold drink to any passerby. He spent countless hours on the drive talking, playing guitar and drinking Scotch with his closest friends.

He spent his working years as a salesman for several local printing companies, the most recent being North Coast Litho.
Fear of flying aside, he saw no flyover states. He lived for the roadside attractions between destinations you might otherwise miss in a plane. The scenic route was the only option. Together with his wife of 33 years, Ruthy, he road tripped across the U.S. visiting places like the Outer Banks, Nashville, the Utah desert, Colorado, Mackinac Island, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota. He and his family spent nearly a dozen summers at the Chautauqua Institute where he immersed himself in art, music and lectures.
He delighted in his own quirks; humored by his inverted signature in red ink on every birthday card and his deliberate, but playful misidentification of critters with his grandchildren. He was well loved by his family and friends. His bright smile and jovial laugh will be remembered as we continue to share his stories.

Details of the arrangement will come at a later date.

Donations can be made in Steve’s Memory to:

H2O – Help to Others youth volunteer program
http://thelakewoodfoundation.org/donate-2/
Or
Iideastream
https://www.ideastream.org/donate-now

.

sitting on the sidelines admiring Steve's and his families contributions

I'm just stunned,

Steve and I spent some time together with our mutual musical interests. I miss him already.

The banjos, his and mine, are silent tonight.

What a wonderful guy.

Condolences,
Gary

A great guy and a very sad loss. Condolences to family and friends.

Few and far between, each encounter with Steve made an impression on me. The way he boiled down complexities and nuance into efficient communications, easily understood by all, was a gift. One such nugget of wisdom (shared here on the Observation Desk) during the hospital debate had such an impact on me, I adopted it as my signature quote with his blessing.

Condolences to Steve’s family and friends.

I was so saddened to learn this.

I enjoyed each conversation that I had with Steve.

May those who loved him and knew him find comfort and solace during this time of mourning.

Wonderful tribute, Jim. I loved talking with Steve, picking his brain about the past (and the future), getting his advice and of course saying anything that would bring out that amazing laugh of his. His house was on my usual walking/jogging/biking route and it was my lucky day when he’d be sitting out front and wave me up for a beer. Conversations were never boring and I always learned something. Jim, you and I could know each other another hundred years and the nicest thing you’ll have ever done for me was introducing me to Steve Davis. RIP.

Steve Davis, Jim O'Bryan and I started working on the Observation Deck on the day that Dr. Hunter S. Thompson died, February 20, 2005. The three of us discussed what we wanted to see over many hours.

Steve Davis was a talker.

It is impossible to quantify his influence in Lakewood and Lakewoodites but it was broad and strong.

I am shocked and saddened. My heart goes out to Ruthie and the kids and grandkids. His loss is immeasurable.

When someone dies that is older than me,I accept it as a normal life function. When someone dies who is my peer or younger, it hurts much worse.

Jim, I am sorry to hear about the death of your good friend.

I salute Steve (and also Ken Warren) and the OBSERVER that they have created.

Steve Davis explaining to me why I was wrong about something, while we review $1.00 menu items at various restaurants for the Observer.

Today one of my best friends, and one of the founders of the Lakewood Observer passed away. Stephen Davis, age 66, has been a friend of mine, and a partner in mischief and crime since we first met at BP America, and I found out his wife was Ruthy Malinak Davis, the girl that sat next to me in home room for 3 years.

Steve was one of the most honest, warm, gentle people I know. We used to laugh at just how normal he and his family were. The amount of love and great feelings generated by the Davis clan would make anyone envious. He loved to play guitar, listen to music, and spend time with his kids and grandkids. When he was not doing that he was working on something to make the city better and fairer, more of the democratic ideals that he cherished. Much of this effort was spent on 4 different Charter Reviews, a time consuming thankless task, that he loved. He was also passionate about City Managers, and always had time to lobby for one. When he was not doing that, he had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, facts, and mischief. Ahhhhhhhh finally mischief.

It is through that pipeline we became friends, and he introduced me to Kenneth Warren, and Lakewood Observer began.

I could go on forever, but let's look at some more photos. At least the ones I can share.


Heading out on one of our many field trips. We would often pick up a person we were interested in talking to and take them with us. Then we would truly take them on what could best be called a Joy Ride. Breaking into Cain Park at 3am with the head of the library! Burning monkey festivals, postcards, and so much more. I would call and say, let's do a lap, and then nothing but insanity would follow. Then back home he would be Mr. Normal again. It was great stupid fun.


Hanging with Steve had some drawbacks, like he never saw a guitar shop he couldn't spend time in talking and trying out guitars.


And he loved politicians, here offering Councilwoman Smith a quick twenty for a favor. She didn't touch it, but we laughed about it often.


The moment Steve discovered he could put his iPhone on his binoculars with 2 rubber bands and take amazing pictures! He was so proud of this.


Steve took this photo backstage of the first Obama trip to Cleveland. After the event I was putting the paper together and asked if he had any photos. This is what he sent me.


His favorite photo from the Lakewood Observer with his caption, "SWAT releases the SWAT pigeon."

One of the many reasons I loved him, I would get this shit all the time.



In the end this was all that mattered to him: the grandkids and the kids. For the past couple years he had immersed himself in being the perfect grandfather, a job he was not only doing very well, but loving every minute.

Well, that is about all I am sharing now, and he would have hated this much.

Mr. Davis, you are already missed. Godspeed.



More photos at: http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... -1954-2020
.

May Steve's precious soul know eternal peace. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.