May 18, 1932 – August 10, 2025
Fripp Island
Charles (Charlie) Davis died in his home with family close by on Aug. 10, 2025.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., at the Fripp Island Community Centre & All Faiths Chapel on Fripp Island on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025.
Charlie was born on May 18, 1932 to the late William N. Davis and the late Anna Dempsey Davis. He is also preceded in death by his brothers: William and Michael Davis.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years Page, children James (Jim), Peter (Pete), and Mary, stepson David and 6 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.
Mr. Davis was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Wayne, Pa., until he attended Portsmouth Abbey and St. Vincent Preparatory schools. He attended the University of Pennsylvania on an Navy ROTC scholarship. Upon graduating in 1955, he entered Naval service.
As a naval officer in New Jersey, he served as a pilot, air intelligence officer, and anti-submarine warfare officer. He flew ZPG-2s blimps as well as S2Fs from the USS Lake Champlain aircraft carrier. He attended the Navy’s Air Intelligence School and served in the defense intelligence community from 1962 to 2000 in the Washington DC area.
In August 1962, he briefed the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the emerging Soviet SAM system being installed in Cuba leading to the identification of the Cuba missile crisis. He continued sharing his intelligence insights through opinion pieces in the National Catholic Reporter, the Washington Post and the Beaufort Gazette.
Throughout his adult life, Charlie was very active in the Catholic church reform movement that sought the ordination of married priests and women and more active role of the laity. In 2000, Charlie and Page moved to Fripp Island, where they thoroughly enjoyed the natural environment with all the birds. Charlie served on the Fripp Island Property Association board and Fripp Island Resort Advisory Committee.
In his retirement in the Lowcountry, he helped establish the progressive Episcopal parish of St. Mark’s in Port Royal. On Fripp, they have had a special community of friends who have supported them as Charlie’s health declined.
Charlie enjoyed playing tennis and body surfing in the Atlantic Ocean. He was an avid sports fan and shared the love of attending and watching sports events with his family. Charlie and Page played competitive duplicate bridge through December of 2024.
Contributions may be made in the name of Charlie Davis to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Port Royal and All Faiths Chapel on Fripp Island.
