Roll Call Tribute

Charles Andrew Davis 

December 15, 1933 - February 14, 2023 

Charles Andrew Davis, also known as Papason, Grandpa and Pops, passed away in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on February 14, 2023.

He was born on December 15, 1933, in Beaumont, Texas to Clara and Andrew Davis. Charles graduated from Caldwell High School in 1950. He served in the US Army and attained the rank of Captain in the reserves while earning his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Texas A&M University.

He worked for the US Fish & Wildlife Service in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida before completing his Ph.D at Oklahoma State University. He retired as the department head of the Fishery and Wildlife Sciences Department at New Mexico State University in August, 1996.

Charles married Sallye Bryan of Decatur, Alabama, a graduate of Florence State Teacher College, on June 3, 1956. They spent the next two years at Texas A&M where Charles completed a Master of Science Degree. Their first daughter, Anne, was born at Petersburg, Virginia, while Charles was on duty at Fort Lee. Then they moved to Florida, where Charles worked at Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. From 1960-63, they were at Oklahoma State University where their second daughter, Mary, was born and Charles completed his Ph.D. degree. Charles and Sallye lived at Jonesboro (and briefly, Fayetteville), Arkansas from 1963 to 1966. Their third daughter, Carol, was born there. Charles taught Biology at Arkansas State University and the University of Arkansas.

In 1966, the family, now complete, moved to Weatherford, Oklahoma for Charles’ intended career-long position at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. In January 1967, a surprise phone call resulted in a final move to New Mexico State University (NMSU) at Las Cruces. After retirement he continued living in Las Cruces to be near his daughters and their families. Always a scholar, he continued his pursuit of knowledge while enjoying some of his hobbies like bird hunting and trading antique shotguns. He also spent much time in Burleson County, Texas visiting with friends and family.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, wife Sallye Rae Davis, and daughter Anne Davis.

He is survived by daughter Mary Starrett, husband Daryl and their daughter Kaylin; daughter Carol Davis-Rivera, husband Albert and their daughter Sally.

At Charles’ request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Special thanks to family friend and caregiver, Norma Montes, Memorial General Hospital ICU and Mesilla Valley Hospice.