Longtime Standardbred owner Dean Davis, 82, passed away at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, September 27.

He was born in Wayne County on July 6, 1934, to Wesley and Thelma Swart Davis. He married Martha Gordon on March 13, 1955. They had three children, John (Beth), Scott (Diane) and Nancy (Randy) Duncan; four grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, Tom (Rachelle) and their children, Austin, Tyler, and Kaylee, Tim (Lisa) and their children Elijah, Christian and Liam, Amy (Chad) Wolf and their children, Keenan, Lucas, Delaney and Cooper and Matt (Carlee) Duncan; step-grandchildren, Michelle (Todd) Thompson and their children, Tyler, Chellsie (Nathan) and Carter and Mandy Harold and her daughter, Carissa; four sisters, Gail (Donnie) Riggenbach, Treva (Stan) Becker, Bonnie Slicker and Marilyn Hoffer; and a brother-in-law and his wife, Bill (Mary) Gordon. He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Ed and Dorothy Gordon; and brothers-in-law, Harrold Hoffer, Newt Greegor and Clete Slicker.

Following his graduation from Shreve High School on 1952, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1956-1957. After his discharge from the Navy he began his farming career at Logil Farm in Wooster. He then worked at Miller Supply before starting his own businesses, Davis Frac Tank and Green Gas Co. He also started Starmark Farm along with his family.

Davis was an owner of Standardbreds and loved harness racing. He was inducted into the Northfield Park Hall of Fame and received the Dr. John D. Stevens Humanitarian Award from the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association.

He was a good friend to many people and a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He loved watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. He was a supporter and fan of all Wayne County Sports. He loved the College of Wooster basketball and softball and was a huge Ohio State Buckeyes football fan.

He was a member of the Ohio Holstein Association, Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association and Zion Lutheran Church.

Friends will be received following a memorial service, to be held on Friday (September 30) at 11 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church, 301 N. Market St., Wooster, with the Rev. Ann Paynter officiating. Private family burial will be held.

McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster, is assisting the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to Life Care Hospice or Zion Luthern Church in Wooster.

Online condolences may be left for the family at mcintirebradhamsleek.com.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Dean Davis.

(USTA)