Davis

James R. “Rip” Davis Jr., 73, of Butler, died at his home on Thursday, July 23, 2026, surrounded by those who loved and appreciated him most, after a seven-month illness.

Born Feb. 20, 1953, in Butler, he was the son of the late James Sr. and Maxine (Schaffner) Davis.

Rip lived a life of quiet, unassuming service to others. He loved nothing more than helping loved ones with home projects, whether simple or complicated.

Rip had an innate ability to look at a problem and solve it using components piled up in his garage. The result was invariably engineered to perfectly suit the problem.

He also loved to laugh and have fun and enjoyed pulling pranks on those closest to him. He was a master of the quick-witted pun in any situation. Rip's motto was “I might grow old, but I'll never grow up.”

Rip was a dedicated firefighter and EMT for Unionville Volunteer Fire Company in his younger years. In more recent times, he was a board director for the Allegheny Aquatic Alliance, where his strength and problem-solving skills were used to help pull more than 7,200 tires and 627,000 pounds of debris from Connoquenessing Creek. His quiet integrity and sense of fun had a great impact on younger Alliance members working alongside him to render the creek a healthier environment for wildlife and a recreation venue for Butler County anglers and kayakers.

Rip’s interests included aviation, World War II history, and trivia, where he displayed his skills as a member of the bar trivia team, The Weiners, each Monday night at the Hardwood Cafe.

Rip retired from AK Steel — now Cleveland-Cliffs — in 2015, after 31 years employment.

He is survived by his children, Christopher Davis (Ashley Mekrut), of Kennesaw, Ga., Jennifer (Aaron) Wimer, of Charleston, S.C., and Jessica Davis, of Buford, Ga.; grandchildren, Braden and Madison Davis, and Vivian and Kathryn “Charlie” Wimer; and sisters, Jacqueline (Michael) Hamilton, of Rowe, N.M., Carla (Charles) Hunt, of Davis, Calif., and Paula Grubbs (Bill Dunnigan), of Penn Township.

He was blessed by the love and dedication of his partner and later, tireless caregiver, Carol Wojdylak, who resided with him at his home in Butler Township.

Rip was preceded in death by his parents, infant son and brother, Richard Davis.

DAVIS — A graveside service for James R. “Rip” Davis Jr., who died Thursday, July 23, 2026, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin Township, followed by a luncheon at a venue to be announced at the graveside service.

Arrangements are being handled by SPENCER D. GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 140 New Castle Road, Butler.

Please offer condolences at www.spencerdgeibel.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.