Ernest J. Davis, Jr. – Colonel, United States Air Force

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From a contemporary press report:

Ernest J. Davis Jr., 79, a retired Air Force Colonel who taught aerospace technology at the University of the District of Columbia from 1987 to 1991, died of pulmonary fibrosis November 19, 2001 at his home in Alexandria, Virginia.

Colonel Davis, a Washington native who had lived in Alexandria since 1972, was a scientific research director for the Air Force Systems Command when he retired in 1975 after a 30-year career.

He was a special assistant for the National Transportation Safety Board from 1978 to 1981 and a consultant for the Institute for Safety Analysis from 1983 to 1987.

He was a 1939 graduate of Dunbar High School. In 1945, he graduated from the U.S. Military Academy. He also had attended Howard University and received a master's degree in aeronautical engineering from Ohio State University in the
1960s.

During World War II, he received flight training at the Tuskegee Institute. He served as an aviator and a researcher at facilities in Kentucky, Florida and California before moving to the research position at the Pentagon in 1972.

Col. Davis had been president of the East Coast chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. He also had been a member of the West Point Society of D.C., the West Point Association of Graduates, the Alpha Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi and Sigma Xi.

He had been a vestryman and junior and senior warden at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Washington. He also had been a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Washington. Colonel Davis had served on the boards of trustees of the Episcopal Center for Children and the St. Mary's Court retirement home, both in Washington.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Frances Davis of Alexandria; three children, Robert H., of Albuquerque, and Ernest III and Dolly Davis, both of New York; a sister; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

DAVIS, ERNEST J., JR., COL, USAF (Ret.,)

On Monday, November 19, 2001, at his residence. Beloved husband of Frances J. Davis; father of Ernest J. III, Dolly L. and Robert H. Davis; brother of Ethel L. Bell. Also survived by two grandchildren, Kathryn and Stephen Davis; a  great-granddaughter, Sydney Rebecca Shaw; and several relatives.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 19 at 11 a.m. at the Fort Myer Chapel. Interment Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the West Point Class of 45; Tuskegee Airmens National Scholarship Fund; Dunbar High School Class of 39; or the Hospice of Northern Virginia.

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