Dennis Bowles Davis, 83, went home to his reward Tuesday afternoon, May 26, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was born July 27, 1931, son of the late John William Davis Sr. and Emma Jane Bowles Davis. He was preceded in death by his brother John W. Davis Jr., sisters, Sara Mary Davis, Joan Ruth Davis Morrow, Rev. Phyllis Louise Davis, and nephews Dennis Andre Spinner and Cory Christopher Morrow. Mr. Davis was a lifelong resident of Steubenville, Ohio until May 2010, at which time due to declining health he moved to Las Vegas to live with his niece.
Mr. Davis graduated from Central Catholic High School where he played football and was a two time All-Ohio linebacker. He attended Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio and was the first black football player at Xavier University. He enlisted in the army in 1952 and became a member of the 82nd Airborne South Carolina Unit. After his discharge from the army in 1954 he returned to Xavier to finish his education and play football. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers. After playing briefly for Green Bay, he returned home and later played football for the Wheeling Ironmen in 1962 and 1963. Mr. Davis worked in the Steubenville post office for forty one and a half years, starting as a custodian and progressing to postal mechanic.
He was a member of Quinn Memorial A. M. E. Church in Steubenville and St. James A.M.E. Church in Cadiz, Ohio. While living in Las Vegas, he joined Holy Trinity A.M.E. Church.
Survivors include nieces Jacqueline Davis Black (Las Vegas), Daria Lynn Davis, Lori Davis Mikell (Savanah, Georgia) and April Kelly Harris; nephews include Michael Walker (Las Vegas), Jon Tory Davis, Stacy Morrow (Austin, Texas), John Morrow, Peter (Brenda) Morrow, Christopher (Iris) Morrow, Benjamin Morrow, Todd (Minerva) Morrow and Steven Kelly (Cleveland). Dennis is also survived by 33 grand nieces and nephews, and 21 great grand nieces and nephews, and many close friends.