Radio Legend Raymond Herbert Davis, 81, Signs Off

By Allie Aylward

Raymond Herbert Davis, 81, lost his battle with leukemia on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014.

Born May 2, 1933, he was the son of the late Ira Ray Davis and Nellie Wimbrow Davis. He was the beloved husband of Nona Davis, his wife of 25 years.

Ray’s wish was to be remembered as a radio broadcaster, and in keeping with those wishes, WAMU’s Bluegrass Country will honor him by rebroadcasting his shows each morning, from 7 to 10 a.m., through Friday, Dec. 12.

He was the host of Saturday Bluegrass and Bluegrass Country on WAMU for many years.

Throughout the course of his career, Ray built a reputation as a broadcaster with a deep, encyclopedic knowledge of the music and artists he played.

His career began at the age of 15 at WDOV-AM in Dover, Delaware. For 38 years, he hosted a popular bluegrass program from WBMD in Baltimore. Ray also did short stints working at small-town stations across the country and at XERF in Mexico, where he learned to be a
radio pitchman.

Those skills were put to use raising money to sustain bluegrass and other programming on WAMU in Washington, D.C., in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Ray helped build the station’s financial foundation. He retired on Sept. 30, 2013. His distinguished broadcasting career spanned 65
years.

In addition to his wife, Ray is survived by his children and their spouses: Ray and Sandra Davis of Silver Spring, MD, Duane Davis of New Freedom, PA, Jimmy Davis of Spring Grove, PA, Susan Fidler of Bel Air, MD, Cheryl Avila of Gettysburg, PA, Martha Riddell of Miami, FL and Melanie and Frank Sita of Fredericksburg, VA; step-children and their spouses: Harry Alimo, Rocco and Dawn Alimo, Theresa Gorsuch of Ocean City, MD and ReEtta and Richard Peterson all of Cape May, NJ; siblings and their spouses: Robert and Grace Davis of Wango, MD, Donald and Joan Davis and Margaret Onley all of Salisbury, MD. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Ray was predeceased by a son, Raymond Davis and siblings Frances Taylor, Alfred, Harry and Marion Davis.

Nona, Ray’s beloved wife, invited all Ray’s friends and listeners to the events honoring his legacy. A service was held on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 11 a.m. at the Haight Funeral Home & Chapel in Sykesville. Interment followed in Mt. View Cemetery in Marriottsville, MD.

Photo and arrangements courtesy of Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, P.A.