Obituary of Arthur E. Davis

DELHI Arthur E. Davis, DVM, 92, of Delhi died November 18, 2012 at Bassett Memorial Hospital, Cooperstown, NY. Arthur was born May 19, 1920 in Olivebridge, NY. He was one of five children born to LeRoy and Anna Oakley Davis. Arthur graduated from Kingston High School in 1938. He attended and graduated from New York State Agricultural College at Delhi in 1940. He then went to Cornell University, Ithaca NY where he graduated from the Veterinary College in just four years in 1944. He conscripted into the Army as an officer while studying at Cornell. While at Cornell he met and later married Olga Hourn on July 12, 1944, they then moved to Delhi where Doctor Davis became partners with Dr. Howard S. Dickson, their practice was well known as "Dickson and Davis". It wasn't long before Dr. Davis was affectionately known by his friends and clients as "Doc." Doc frequently had students accompany him on his large animal farm calls and small animal office hours to observe veterinary procedures. Many went on to become veterinarians. Dickson and Davis were later joined by Dr. Charles Palin and their practice became known as the Delhi Animal Hospital. Doc left his Delhi practice after 32 years of dedicated service to the Delhi area in 1976. After leaving private practice, Doc became a NYS Veterinarian and also worked for the Federal Government in the meat inspection division. He retired for good in 1987. Doc was a 65-year member of the First Presbyterian Church of Delhi where he served as an elder and a trustee. He was also a member of the Delhi Grand Lodge of Masons for 65 years. He was a member of the NYS Veterinary Medical Association and the Catskill Mountain Medical Society. Doc enjoyed flying his airplane; was an avid fisherman, both locally and in Canada. Doc and Olga took many trips throughout the states and abroad. Doc was predeceased by his parents, a brother Wilson and two sisters, Florence Davis and Ida Mae Marlatt; sister in-law and her husband Stella and Thomas Shanley; and George Witte, his niece Mary Shanley's husband. Doc is survived by his wife of 68 years, Olga Davis, Delhi, NY; his youngest sister Carol Larsen Wood (Cary), Glenford, NY; nieces and nephews: Linda Wood Gray (Bill), Glenford, NY; Daniel Marlatt (Mardel), Susanville, CA; Beverly Mackie (Rich), Binghamton, NY; Keith Larsen (Trish), Simsbury, CT; Mary Witte,Queens, NY; Pat Shanley (Frank), Yakima,WA. His close family friends: Betty June and Jim Doig , LaGrange,IL ; their daughter and son-in-law Leslie and Steve McKeegan , Delhi, NY; and thier children Stephanie and Quinn. A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Delhi, on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Jim Martin officiating. A graveside service will follow at the Tongore Cemetery in Olivebridge, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 4 Clinton St. Delhi, NY 13753 or Heart of the Catskill Humane Society, PO Box 88, Delhi, NY 13753. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are by the MacArthur Funeral Home of Delhi.