Edwin Sawyer Davis, Jr.

Mr. Edwin Sawyer Davis Jr., 73, transitioned Saturday, February 17, 2018 at his home in Beaufort, North Carolina following a complex illness.

There will be a graveside service at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at Gethsemane Memorial Park in Newport, officiated by Pastor Jimmy Mercer.

Ed was born to Edwin Sawyer Davis (served in the Army as a veteran in the Second World War) and Alvhild (Tonnessen) Davis. He was raised in Weehawken, New Jersey.  As a child Edwin had dreams of becoming Naval Aviator.

In his early years, Ed would often be found at the New Jersey beaches since he loved to surf.  He graduated from The Peddie School, in Hightstown New Jersey and decided to follow his father’s path and attend Princeton University, graduating in 1967 with a bachelor's degree in Architecture. He later joined the United States Navy, where he served as a Commissioned Officer, achieving the rank of Lieutenant.  After serving in the Navy, Mr. Davis had the opportunity to attend Harvard Business School and obtained a MBA.

Following a brief marriage to Suzanne Schrappe in 1968, he met his wife of 17 years, Catherine (Georggin) Davis, while attending real-estate investment conferences.   They were married in May of 2000 in Orange County, California. Ed (fondly called by family and friends) had a passion for animals and was notorious for surrounding himself with pets.  His most recent pet, Gunner, was one of his best friends.

Edwin joined the Port of Long Beach in 1984 as a Harbor Patrol Officer and ultimately retired as Chief of Harbor Patrol, where he became the originator of the Port of Long Beach Commercial Dive Unit (CDU). He not only took pride in his ability to bring people together to formulate a team for success, but he truly relished the friends he made at work; he considered them his family. It was at work that he met his adoptive son and primary caregiver, Lamar Howard.

Ed particularly enjoyed watching architectural designs on HGTV, doing crossword puzzles, reading books on history, and creating model ships and boats.  He had a consuming interest in anything related to World War II.

Surviving him is his wife of 17 years, Catherine (Georggin) Davis; his son, Lamar Davis-Howard (wife, LaCreashia); four grandchildren, Brenton (wife, Patryce) Lamar Jr., LaBryce and Bevenn Howard; two great-grandchildren; four first cousins, Martin Jefferson Davis (wife-Barbara), John Sawyer Davis Jr. (wife, Mary Ann), Whitney Tonnessen, and Cooper D. Winn; a niece Cynthia L. Davis; and many close friends.

Online condolences may be made at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements are by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory, Morehead City, NC.