MONMOUTH – Leland “Lee” C. Davis Jr., died June 6, 2013, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born April 26, 1922, on Turkey Lane, in Winthrop. His parents were Doris Webb Davis and Leland C Davis.
Lee attended schools in Monmouth and graduated from Monmouth Academy. He received a bachelor’s degree in physics from Bates College and a masters degree in educational administration from the University of Maine, Orono. He played both baseball and football while attending Bates. He served his country in the 8th Air Force in World War II as a B-17 combat pilot. He remained in the reserves for many years after the war, eventually obtaining a rank of Major. In the 1950s Lee was a teacher, coach and principal in the Winthrop school system. He also started a business known as Davis Agency, Monmouth, in the 1950s. This business sold insurance and real estate for several decades. Lee served in the Maine legislature, 1978-1987. His last years of service included house leadership positions. Lee was a charter member of Monmouth Lions Club, a past master of Monmouth Masonic Lodge, selectman of the town of Monmouth, past president of Kennebec Valley County Realtors Association and member of Winthrop Grange. He was also a trustee of Monmouth Academy, board vice president of Community Service Telephone for many years, and on the advisory board for Key Bank, Winthrop. Lee loved to stay up with technology. He stayed in touch with his children and grandchildren around the country by way of e-mail and text messages. He was an avid golfer and loved to go fishing, particularly if the trip involved flying his float plane to the destination of choice. He married Bettina “Betty” Sands Davis, Feb. 26, 1946. Betty died Oct. 31, 1999.
Lee is survived by daughter, Penny Robertson and husband, Richard, of Monmouth; daughter, Leanne Preble and husband, Rick, of Washington state; daughter, Brenda Jillson and husband, Richard, of Sabattus; son, Scott Davis and wife, Holly, of Winthrop; daughter, Jan Davis and companion, Marcy Kutok, of Seattle; grandchildren, Wade Robertson and wife, Brandy, of Bowdoin, Adam Robertson and wife, Ashley, of Veazie, Seth Robertson and wife, Tara, of Durham, Ian Davis and wife, Caren, of Seattle, Nate Davis and fiancée, Ilona, of Falmouth, Arica Davis of Seattle, Luke Preble of Seattle, Dylan Preble of Seattle and Leah Preble of Bellingham, Wash.; and great-grandchildren, Riley, Ryan and Reagan Robertson, Tanner Robertson, and Loic, Leo and Levi Davis. Lee also had 13 wonderful years with companion, Theresa Wahlen, of Gulfport, Fla.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit 5-8 p.m. Sunday, June 9, at Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. A celebration of Lee’s life will be 1 p.m. Monday, June 10, at United Church of Monmouth, Main Street, Monmouth. A private committal service with full military honors is planned for a later date at Monmouth Ridge Cemetery. Donations may be made to the USO in lieu of flowers, and may be either sent to USO, P.O. Box 96322, Washington D.C., 20090-6322 or go online to www.uso.org. Lee spoke many times of how much he appreciated what the USO did for him and his fellow service members, during his time in the military. He was extremely proud of his country and all of who have served it. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.
Leland ‘Lee’ C. Davis Jr.
