Robert Davis Sr., better known as “Milo” or more affectionately “Pop,” passed this earthly life to receive his reward in Heaven on March 23, 2005.
He was born in Mobile and graduated from Murphy High School. He then attended Auburn University for several years, where he was a founder of a fraternity before he answered his country’s call and joined the United States Marine Corps.
He was stationed in numerous locations, including Alaska, Cuba and Newfoundland. During that time, he also managed to win several consecutive Golden Gloves boxing titles.
To those who knew Milo, his life as an avid outdoorsman was no secret. First and foremost was his passionate love for bream fishing among the many stumps and logs in Bilbo and Bates Creeks. His love of fishing did not end there though, as he was a regular on the piers of his family’s Walter Trent Marina in Orange Beach.
For 18 years, along with his son Mike, he owned and operated the Southern Sportsman Bait and Tackle Shop on Highway 43 in Mount Vernon. He was a staple feature behind the counter, and his larger than life personality guaranteed that many repeat customers would stop in to get the latest hunting and fishing gossip.
As fishing season would wind down in the late summer, he could be found making planting preparations for deer season in both Sims Chapel and Loxley. His passion for hunting deer was shared by his grandson Mitch III, where they spent countless hours waiting on “Ole Big” but mostly just killing a Coca Cola and a pack of cheese crackers.
Milo also loved to quail and rabbit hunt with his favorite dogs in tow, Dixie and Ruby. His love of hunting took him to such places as Alaska for bear, Illinois for pheasant and even Arkansas for mallard ducks.
Milo enjoyed many hobbies during his life, including some his family only discovered during his later years. He had an angelic singing voice, which was only found out after he began to showcase it singing at his church, where he lifted his voice to the Lord.
He had a great love of dancing, and even met his current wife, Delores while practicing the tango in a ballroom dance class. He was also a checkers master who could never be bested, beating family, friends and even other champions from around Alabama at yearly competitions in Birmingham.
He was a great supporter of all types of athletics, especially Dixie Youth Baseball and Little League, where he earned a title he deeply loved — “Coach.” He also loved his Alabama Crimson Tide. He might get mad at “his boys” if they lost, but his blood always ran crimson to the end.
The absolute joys of his life were his grandchildren and step-grandchildren. He rarely ever missed one of Ashton’s dance recitals or one of Mitch III’s or C.W.’s high school football games. Nothing made him prouder than showing off his grandchildren or getting a hug from his great-grandchildren, Delaney, Lillie and Kaylee.
He is survived by his first wife, Joan; his current wife, Delores; son, Mike Davis (Mary) of Orange Beach; daughter, Mary Elizabeth “Sissy” Lattof (Mitch) of Orange Beach; stepchildren, Lori Alderman (Josh) and Lillian Kraver (Charles) of Daphne; grandchildren, Mitch III and Ashton Lattof; step-grandchildren, C.W. Kraver Jr. and Tina and Michael Eubanks; and his three great-grandchildren Delaney, Lillian and Kaylee.
Visitation will be held at Radney Funeral Home in Mobile on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at 11:30 a.m., with the service following at 1 p.m.
Following the graveside ceremony, there will be a reception held at Radney Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Milo’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Arrangements by Radney Funeral Home, Mobile.
