Benjamin Joseph Davis, 74 of Newark passed away on March 25, 2026 at his residence, surrounded by his daughters and several family members. He was born on April 20, 1951 in Scioto County, OH to the late Earl and Elizabeth (Nagel) Davis.

Ben worked for the Department of Defense in many areas including the Defense Supply Agency, many years for the Department of Air Force at the Newark Air Force Base, then transferred to work until retirement at the Department of the Navy at their Academy in Georgia.

He is survived by his daughters, Michele (Bobby) Strait and Amanda Charles; grandchildren, Kevin (Samantha) Brown, Austin Deeslie, Krizma (T.J.) Hoffer, Reece Charles, Nelson Carter Charles, Bristal Davis and Dalton Charles; several great-grandchildren; siblings, Flora Kane, Lisa Gilpin and Ed Davis; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by the absolute love of his life, his wife of 53 years, Sandra Sue Davis who passed away just 10 short months ago on May 19, 2025; and siblings, Lena Weber, Hattie Robinson, Opal Wieg and Lafayette(baby Lafe) Davis.

Ben would often say “Can you look at yourself in the mirror and say I am a good person?”. There is no doubt that Ben could. He was a kind, caring, calm and unbelievably patient man who loved to tell stories from his past or make up stories to teach you a life lesson. In doing so he made everyone around him a better person. He was a wonderful John Daddy, Daddy, Grandpa, Papaw or Great-Grandpa to every one of his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed going fishing, on road trips, coaching softball, giving his “John Girl” crafting ideas, watching his daughters and grandchildren play sports or reminding them of when they screamed off the back porch.

Ben’s favorite song was “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce. He thought the most important asset was time and that it should be spent with those we love. Ben was adamant that he did not want people to spend their time grieving, planning a funeral service or celebration of life for him. His daughters will be having a private Easter lunch to honor the life of a man who gave selflessly to all. While I’m sure it will not be quite so easy because to love hard is to grieve hard; Ben instructed his daughters not to grieve too much for him, he wanted them to just “Wrap it up and go home!”.

To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com.