Charles Jordan Davis

Davis, Charles Jordan, 93, Wichita business owner and entrepreneur, died Saturday, March 08, 2008. Memorial service 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, Kansas Masonic Home Chapel. Charles was born October 9, 1914, in Kansas City, MO and moved to Wichita in 1938 where he co-founded and operated Skyline Manufacturing. In 1951, he purchased Midwestern Industries, a manufacturer of industrial equipment. He sold the company to Massey-Ferguson in 1957. In 1959 he founded Davis Manufacturing, a worldwide leader in trencher equipment. Davis Manufacturing was acquired by J.I. Case in 1968. In 1969 he purchased Shangri-La, a lakeside resort in Afton, OK, which he developed through the 70s and early 80s. In 1986 he and his wife moved to Green Valley, AZ, where they lived together until she died. He returned to Wichita in 2006 and has been a resident of the Kansas Masonic Home since then. Preceded in death by, his wife of 63 years, Isla Davis, survivors include sons, Bill (Patty) Davis, Wichita, KS and Bob Davis, Tucson, AZ; grandchildren, Scott (Heather) Davis, Dallas, TX, Matthew (Jennifer) Davis, Kansas City, MO, Lon (Anita) Davis, Olathe, KS, Katie (Nate) Keith and Colby West, all of Wichita; and four great-grandchildren. A memorial has been established with the American Heart Association P.O. Box 1653 Topeka, KS 66601-1653. Downing Lahey East Mortuary.