Gordon Arthur Davis, 1949-2013
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Gordon Arthur Davis
1949 - 2013
Pilot Gordon Arthur Davis, 63, of Stallion Springs, passed away on March 3, 2013, in the area of Elk Mountain, Wyoming.
He flew out of Bryce Canyon, Utah, on Sunday morning in a Cessna 172, bound for Laramie. Bad weather conditions forced a hard landing in mountainous terrain.
The coroner’s report from Wyoming stated that Gordon died from exposure to extreme temperatures. Trauma was also a factor. The NTSB official said the plane was intact and will be removed this week.
Gordon was born in Duluth, Minnesota, to parents Bernard and Margaret Ann-Birkman-Davis. He attended Central High School in Grand Junction, Colorado, graduating in 1969 and then continuing his education at Mesa College.
June of 1970 found him in basic training at Nellis AFB in Nevada. He proudly served his country in the Unites States Air Force until 1979, leaving the military as Staff Sergeant (E-5) Assistant F-4 Section Flight Chief. His post-military career kept him still involved in aircraft maintenance and fabrication at Boeing Wichita, Boeing Mojave Test Center and Edwards Test Flight Center and Flight Systems, Inc. at the Mojave Airport.
Gordon resigned to move to the Denver area to study at the Colorado School of Mines Research Institute/AMAX, in Golden, Colo.
Gordon’s experience as a licensed pilot included nine years with the USAF and as a crash-recovery and investigation team member with the military. He also held a commercial pilot’s license.
He returned to Kern County and owned and operated Mountain Hawk Aviation in Tehachapi, and was a flight instructor with numerous credentials including, DAR-T, CFI, IA, and A&P. He lists about 45 years in aviation.
Gordon was a man with many interests and talents. He was knowledgeable in most fields of auto mechanics, drafting, and graphic arts, and especially loved to draw airplanes, boats and cabins using pencil, charcoal, and pen and ink. He also lived in Peru for a while and ministered in Mexico, Thailand, and India. Gordon was privileged to also visit Israel.
Gordon is survived by his wife of 21 years, Georgia Ann-Schiffilea-Davis and his father, Bernard Davis. His mother, Margaret Davis passed away in July of 2003.
A Vigil Service and recitation of the Rosary will be held on Monday, March 18, 2013, at 6 p.m. at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Tehachapi. The Mass of the Resurrection will be at the church on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at 9 a.m., with the Rite of Burial and interment to follow at 12:30 p.m. at Bakersfield National Cemetery in Arvin. Father Michael Cox will officiate the services. Wood Family Funeral Service is handling the arrangements. For condolences please visit www.woodmortuary.net.
