r Francis Keith Davis was born Dec. 30, 1924, in Ogden, Utah. He had one brother. His family moved to Sawtelle, Calif., after he was born. They then moved to Salem and then to Springville, where he graduated from high school. He was actually drafted before he graduated but was allowed to finish his school year.
He was stationed at Fort Douglas in the Army and then was sent overseas. His group landed on Utah Beach and afterward he participated in and survived the Battle of the Bulge. He also helped in the liberation of Ohrdruf Nazi Concentration Camp.
When Keith returned from the war, he worked with his father in the plastering business, attended Brigham Young University and became a draftsman. He also worked at Geneva for 17 years and ran a photography business. Keith married Marva Waters in the Manti Temple on Sept. 11, 1947.
Marva Waters Davis was born in Mapleton on June 19, 1928. Her family moved to Springville when she was 11 and she finished sixth grade at the Jefferson Elementary School. She also graduated from Springville High School. Marva started working at the Springville Herald folding yearbook pages when she was 14. She had to cancel the first date that Keith asked her on because she was required to work. Marva was working for Dr. Clair Judd at the time they were married.
They had one son and two daughters. Keith and Marva have both been very active in the LDS Church. Keith has served in callings such as first counselor to the Elder’s Quorum president and as the secretary in the High Priests Group. He is a lifetime member of the American Legion, VFW and DAV, does military funerals in south Utah County and participated in Boys State. Marva was active in the Springvale Playhouse, worked with Girls State and was a director, has been active in the America Legion Auxiliary since 1948, and has held LDS Church callings such as Relief Society president, Young Women’s president and Primary president.
They now have eight grandchildren and 9 and 1/2 great-grandchildren.
Keith believes in making friends and being friendly and Marva lives by the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do onto you.
