Gaylon "Gayle" D. Davis

Gaylon D. Davis...Gayle to his friends, age 78 of Elkhart, IN joyfully ran into the awaiting & loving arms of his Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, the morning of Thursday, September 10, 2026.  Gayle was born on April 20, 1948, in Bay, Arkansas. He graduated from Jimtown High School in the spring of 1966 and continued his education with the other members of one of the Midwest's most notable bands from that era and 2015 Elkhart Hall of Fame inductee, 'Six in the Morning,' at Indiana University - Bloomington, where during the second week of their freshman year, he met Laura Suzanne Rahn, the love of his life.

Gayle instantly recognized his soulmate and proposed after three weeks. Laura declined but Gayle pursued and they were married on October 25, 1969, in North Olmsted, OH and lived the next 57 years building an amazingly full and blessed life together with children, grandchildren, and countless others whose lives he touched and transformed through both his businesses and faith in Jesus Christ. Upon retirement and the sale of Employer's Security, one of Northern Indiana's largest and most predominant security companies up to that time, along with Interlink Companies (ElkhartNet), both of which he owned & operated with his nephew and lifelong best friend & partner, Nathan Soward, Gayle & Laura relocated to Fort Myers Beach where they resided until very recently.

Gayle would often say that he was unbelievably blessed. He strived throughout his life to help those in need and was continuously focused on how to serve Jesus and further His kingdom. God blessed Gayle with many notable accomplishments in business and personally throughout his life, but when asked what he was most proud of, he always said, "his family." They were what he lived for up until his last day.

Affectionally referred to as Pop Pop or Papa Bear, Gayle is survived by his wife of nearly 57 years, Laura, and their children, Jennifer (Joe DiFederico) Davis DiFederico of Kouts, IN and Adam (Katie) Davis of Elkhart, IN; grandchildren, Angel (Brooke) DiFederico, August DiFederico, Kherington Davis, and twins Palmer and Parker Davis, as well as his nephew, business partner, and best friend Nathan (Janice) Soward. Gayle was preceded in death by his parents, Cleo and Pearl Davis and sisters Wanda (Floyd "Bud") Soward, Sadie (Louie) Hylkema and Mary (Shelby) Bridwell.

In honor of a man that touched so many lives and had such a far-reaching impact on both God's kingdom and our community, Laura, Jennifer & Adam invite you to join them in remembering their beloved husband & father. There will be a Remembrance Service at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514, at 2pm on Saturday, September 26, 2026, with an invitation for friends and family to visit and pay their respects beginning at 12pm/noon. Online condolences may be made to the Davis family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com