Charles "Monty" Davis

Charles Dean “Monty” Davis, 80, of Tuscarawas, will above all be remembered as a wonderful friend and family man with a positive attitude and witty sense of humor.

Regardless of how you were introduced to Monty – whether through family, as a neighbor, customer, business, community event, hospital visit - you were only an acquaintance for a short moment. You quickly became a part of his very large circle of friends.

Monty passed on to the next phase of life in heaven on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in his home surrounded by his family. With a positive attitude and love for life, Monty never allowed his lifelong health problems to slow him down or deter him from his goals.

Born on May 21, 1945, in Dennison Ohio to his parents Charles William “Chuck” and Sara Evelyn “Sally” (Rippeth) Davis. He was raised along with his sisters, Kay and Eileen, just outside the Village of Tuscarawas on a 50-acre chicken farm. He had a childhood full of love and hard work. He loved his valley and ran through the country roads, village streets and farm fields on his bicycle, moped, tractors and cars while growing up with his sisters, many cousins, dozens of friends and church family.

Monty met his future wife, the love of his life, Sandra Kay Kerns, in the first grade at Tuscarawas Warwick School. Naturally they were a perfect match. Sandy was also raised on a farm just outside of the village. They journeyed through their childhood together and eventually became a couple during their Junior year of High School. Monty and Sandy graduated in 1963 with their 39 classmates, many of whom they remain friends with to this day.

His strong family and childhood community forged the man of Friendship and Peace that Monty became. The Village of Tuscarawas and Sharon Moravian Church were woven into Monty’s life from the very beginning. He was baptized, confirmed and served in many positions and committees of his home church throughout his life. He loved and helped his friends and neighbors in several ways including the Warwick Lions Club.

Between his high school graduation and eventual marriage, Monty ventured off to Chicago where he attended Coyne Electrical Institute. There he was educated to become the beloved “TV man” of Dover. Along with Sandy, he owned and operated Monty Davis TV and Appliance. He enjoyed getting to know his customers - who of course became friends - and maintained a business environment of honesty and kindness.

Monty and Sandy were married on August 8, 1965, at Fry’s Valley Moravian Church, and within four short months of their marriage, Monty received a Christmas Card / Draft Notice and was swiftly pulled away from his life to the United States Army. During his service in 1966 and 1967, he found himself in Vietnam installing communication lines throughout the country as a lineman with the 1st Signal Brigade. From the moment he was drafted, Monty began to forge friendships that would last a lifetime. He stayed in contact with his military friends and continued to serve his fellow Veterans through the local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter as their treasurer, belonged to the VFW and developed strong ties with the local Veterans Service Office.

Monty and Sandy loved their community so much that, after his return from the military, they eventually decided to build their own home next to the old farmhouse and raise their children, Todd and Marci, running through the same school hallways, church classrooms, country roads and village streets that they ran as children.

He was a skilled man who, along with Sandy and his father, built his own house and knew how to fix everything - or he would figure it out. He always enjoyed a challenge, including new technology. He loved music, games, traveling, gardening and any kind of gathering that brought his friends and family together.

Monty enjoyed life in spite of his health problems which began shortly after his return from Vietnam. They progressed and continuously became more complicated to the point where it was predicted he wouldn’t live past 50. He overcame every circumstance with a smile, witty sense of humor and never complained. Along the way, he became close friends with many healthcare professionals from Tuscarawas County to Cleveland, becoming a source of joy and strength to those who cared for him.

Monty is survived by his wife, Sandra Kay (Kerns) Davis; children, Todd Davis and Marci (Hombre) Liggett; sisters, Estella Kay (Lloyd) Ringley and Mary Eileen Massarelli. Many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends.

In addition to his parents, Monty was proceeded in death by an infant sister, Sally Sue.

A memorial visitation will be held from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 26. A Celebration of Life service will begin at 2 p.m. The New Philadelphia Post #1445 will render military honors. All will be held in Burning River Church, 420 W. Third St., Dover.

A meal will follow the service.

It was clear to all who knew him that Monty’s Family, Friends and Faith were the most important things in his life. In honor of him, be encouraged to cherish and cultivate your relationships on earth while you still can.