FORSYTH, Ga. — Donnie Leroy Davis, 68, of Forsyth, Ga., and formerly of Danville, passed away at 4:36 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center.

Donnie was born Aug. 27, 1944, in Hamburg, Ark., the son of Luther O. and Zora L. Roark.

He married Edeltraud Heininger in 1964, in Frankfurt, Germany. She preceded him in death on April 3, 1986.

Donnie served in the United States Army from 1961 to 1966. During that time in the Army he met his wife, Edeltraud. Together they had three sons, Donnie Michael, Joe and Jeff Davis.

Donnie worked for General Motors in Tilton for several years as a millwright until he retired in 1992. After retiring from GM, he decided he was going to buy a sailboat, and he named it the Elisha E. and sailed to the Bahamas. He had never sailed before, and he purchased a book to teach him how to sail. Donnie became a very accomplished ship captain and spent 10 years sailing in the Bahamas. He also would sail up to Kentucky Lake on the Tombigbee Waterway.

It was during that time he sailed into Apalachicola, Fla., and met Carolyn Trest, and she became his life partner; and they would share many adventures together. When Donnie decided that he was going to give up sailing the Bahamas, he purchased two shrimp boats in Apalachicola. He named one of the boats the Chloe E. after his other granddaughter.

Donnie spent the last five years cooking food in his food trailer. He was known for his oyster po’ boys and barbecue pulled pork.

Donnie enjoyed coaching his kids’ baseball teams when they were younger and watching his grandchildren play ball. He also enjoyed fishing, NASCAR, woodworking and loved cooking, especially fish fries. Donnie loved spending time with his family and friends and was known for his joking around with people. Donnie touched so many people in his life, and his friends meant so much to him.

He is survived by three sons, Donnie Michael (Tina) Davis of Oakwood, Joe (Julie) Davis of Danville, and Jeff (Penny) Davis of Dana, Ind.; seven grandchildren, Jerry (Ashley) Myers of San Diego, Calif., Cory (Kilee) Myers of Dana, Ind., Taylor Davis of Florence, Ky., Elisha Davis of Carbondale, Chloe Davis of Danville, Jesse Davis of Oakwood and Trevor Davis of Danville; one great-grandson, Dallas Myers; one brother, Bobby Ray (Sue) Davis of Danville; one sister, Annie L. (George) White of Hillsboro, Ind.; special nephew, Homer “Skeeter” (Patty) Meyers Jr. of Hillsboro, Ind.; many other nieces, nephews and cousins; and special friends who were like his brothers, Howard Davis of Perrysville, Ind., and Butch Hathaway of Palmetto, Fla.

He also is survived by his partner, Carolyn Trest of Forsyth, Ga., and her children, James Trest of Antioch, Tenn., Nena (Shelly) Trest of Thomaston, Ga., and Dianna (John) Kenny of Ridgeview; eight grandchildren, Jessica Gay of Apalachicola, Fla., India Byess of Ridgeview, James Michael Trest of Apalachicola, Fla., Desiree Trest of Apalachicola, Fla., Christie Byess of Thomaston, Ga., Shana Byess of Forsyth, Ga., Michael Byess of Dallas, Ga., and Amanda Jackson; and great-granddaughter, Aylah Adams, of Forsyth, Ga.; and many other great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Luther Deross Davis, Luther “BO” Devon Davis and Billy Joe Davis; one sister, Deloris Bridgeman; and a niece, Crystal Richardson.

Private family services were held at the Wolfe-Blurton Funeral Home in Potomac. Cremation rites have been accorded.

Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Riley’s Children’s Hospital.

Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.wolfeblurtonfuneralhome.com.