Carle M. Davis

Carle M. Davis - died Friday, Jan 6, 2012 at the age of 92, after a lengthy illness. Carle was born October 19, 1919 in Springs, Pennsylvania. He graduated with a degree in civil engineering from Penn State University, where he met Connie Forbush Davis, his wife of 65 years, who died in 2010. He began his career at the Pittsburgh office of the original Harrison Construction Company and was transferred to Alcoa, TN in 1941, as a field engineer for the layout and construction of Alcoa’s North Plant. A CO during WWII, Carle served with the Coastal Geodetic Survey in the western United States. Loyal to family, community, and country, Carle’s deeply-rooted commitment to pacifism derived from a faith-based conviction of the Church of the Brethren regarding the sanctity of life. In 1946, he was appointed Division Engineer for Harrison Construction’s southern operations. Eleven years later, he was transferred to Harrison’s home office in Pittsburgh where he was appointed Vice President and Chief Engineer. He returned to Blount County in 1962, and shortly later became Vice President and part owner of the newly formed Harrison, Inc. He presided over the sale of Harrison, Inc. To Ashland Oil and retired as President of APAC Harrison in 1982. After retirement, he pursued hobbies of woodworking and, especially, writing. He authored many accounts of family history and a treasured volume, “Conversations with Clyde,” a whimsical account of the philosophical musings of a neighbor’s basset hound. A Blount County resident for more than 60 years, Carle served his community in many capacities in leadership positions. A long time member of Alcoa Rotary and a founding member of Alcoa’s Toastmasters, Carle also served as President of the Blount County Chamber of Commerce, a member of the board for the Blount County Public Library, and as a director on the board of the Bank of Maryville and later 1st Tennessee Bank. For 18 years, he served on the board of Maryville College, including four years as Board President. Hew as a member of New Providence Presbyterian Church. Carle exemplified, for his family and friends, a devotion to life-long values of hard work, Humility, compassion, and the healing power of humor. Courageous in life and death, he will be deeply missed by all who knew him well. Carle is survived by son, Mike and daughter-in-law Ibby Davis, Maryville; son, Lee and daughter-in-law Veronica Arriagada Davis, Eugene, OR; grandchildren, Jeff Davis, Eugene, OR. Gabriel Davis, San Luis Obispo, CA, Mollie Davis, Centreville, VA., Benjamin Davis, Washington D.C., Chris and Lucy Davis, Charleston, SC, Todd and Whitney Davis, Maryville; great-grandchildren, Emma Davis and Miles Davis, Charleston SC, Price Davis and Hayes Davis, Maryville, Aden Davis, Washington D.C., Nyah Davis Galgano, Centreville, VA; devoted friend and care-giver, Iva Reno, Maryville. Private graveside services will be held with Rev. Dr. Emily Anderson officiating. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 P.M. Monday, January 9, 2012 in New Providence Presbyterian Church Westminister Hall. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Blount Memorial Hospital Hospice or to New Providence Presbyterian Church.