Pastor Milt Davis

Pastor Milt Davis, 84, of Fayetteville passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2025 in Autumn Care of Fayetteville, following a long illness.

Milton, known to all as Pastor Milt, was born in Phoenix, Arizona on February 18, 1941, son to the late Pastor Arlie Oscar Davis and Edith Fern Babcock Davis. Following five generations of pastors, Milt knew early in life he wanted to serve the Lord in ministry. He began as a young teenager, using magic to share the gospel at churches in the Phoenix area through the Youth For Christ (YFC) ministries. He met his future bride of 63 years during a YFC roller skating event and they began their lives together as high school sweethearts. The two then went to Bob Jones University in South Carolina, getting married on December 21, 1961. After college, Pastor Milt served as a Youth Pastor, Pastor of Education, and Senior Pastor for several California churches. Eventually, the Lord guided his life to a place where he was called to serve as an Intentional Interim Pastor, where he helped churches in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Kansas, Michigan and Utah find their mission and a pastor who served as a match to their calling. When asked for his life’s Bible verse, he said it was Philippians 1:6, ‟being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Pastor Milt touched untold thousands of people throughout his life. Many fondly remember his teaching style, beginning each message with a Peanuts cartoon which served as a fitting introduction to his topic. He would often lead a final song at the end of services, and many remember his flair for waving his arms and inspiring everyone to ‟Lift it up now!” as we sang, ‟How Great Thou Art.” Everyone who met him remembers his beaming smile AND the fact that, as they grew together through the years, he and Joan became inseparable and easily identified by their matching Aloha shirts, many with a Disney theme.

Mark, their oldest son, remembered Pastor Milt with this, ‟Dad made his family his priority, and we all felt his unwavering devotion. He loved deeply and lived vibrantly. A brilliantly creative man, he wrote courses for churches, spoke to thousands with inspiration, and served as a scoutmaster during the years my two brothers and I were in the Boy Scouts. He was a force of life, filling every room with warmth and energy. His exuberance was infectious, leaving every place-and every person-better for his presence. He challenged us all to rise higher, to be better, and he ignited a passion in those who were privileged to stand by his side.”

Keith, their middle son, remembers Pastor Milt as the greatest man he ever knew. Milt took time with each son on alternating weeks for a ‟Day with Dad” and gave each son personal time through the week. He went without a vacation for three years so he could take the family on a drive around the country in 1978; a trip we all still cherish. He also took the family on trips to the Holy Land and ensured our childhood memories would be filled with joy – often motivated by our mom’s fervent desire to ensuring a happy home.

Kevin, their youngest son, remembered Pastor Milt with this, ‟He was a kind man with a strong passion for teaching the Word of God. I will treasure his sermons that I still have on cassette. My mom was the perfect match for him. Starting as high school sweethearts and together to the end. Dad, I love you and I'm glad you are no longer struggling!” Kevin remembers Dad’s lessons for life, ‟In your teens: Play all you can... In your 20s: Take all the risks you can.... In your 30s: Learn all you can.... In your 40s: Earn an you can... In your 50s: Lead everything you can.…. In your 60s: Leave with all the style you can.... Thereafter, or in the hereafter, enjoy all you can.”

He is survived by his loving wife, Joan Davis; sons, Mark Davis of The Colony, Texas, Keith Davis and his wife Dianne of Fayetteville, Kevin Davis and his wife Jamie of Henderson, Nevada; 9 grandchildren, Kathryn, Gennevieve, Gregory, Christopher, Michael, Elizabeth, Jeanine, Andrew and Emily; 12 Great-Grandchildren, 1 Great-Great-Grandchild and many extended family members and friends.

Graveside services will be 11:00 AM Monday, March 24, 2025 in LaFayette Memorial Park Cemetery, 6701 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Joan B. Davis to help with Funeral and Milt’s medical costs, 6441 Easthampton Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28314.