John Davenport

John N. Davenport, age 92, died peacefully on September 16, 2009. John was the beloved husband of the late Eleanor Bradley. Dear father of Margot Davenport Arms Stone David of Boston and Marion, MA, Deborah Davenport Stuckey and Caroline Andrews Davenport, both of Mayfield Heights, Ohio. Dear grandfather of Robin Shields Tim, the late Jonathan Arms and Heather Stuckey. Dear great-grandfather of Ella Arms, Salter Arms, Abigail Shields and Benjamin Shields. He is also survived by Jon's former wife, Heejun Arms. Dear brother of David Wesley Davenport Carol of Sarasota, Florida, and Chagrin Falls, Ohio. John is survived by loving nieces and nephews. The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in his name to University School, 2785 SOM Center Road, Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center, 11206 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106 or the Memorial Fund of Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Boulevard, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118, where Memorial Services will be held in the Chapelof Fairmount Church on Saturday, October 3 at 11 AM. After graduating from University School in 1935, John attended Dartmouth College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree and was a member of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. In 1950, he earned his degree in Metalurgy at Case Western Reserve University. Mr. Davenport served in the United States Navy as an Officer aboard submarine chasers in anti-submarine service from July, 1942 to December 1946. During that time, he participated in the invasion of French Morocco in 1942 as Commanding Officer aboard SC519, and did anti-submarine duty operating out of Casablanca. Mr. Davenport was then transferred to the South Pacific as Commanding Officer of a PC-582. After V-Day, he did occupational duty in Korea and China. Mr. Davenport was discharged in 1946 from the Navy and joined Fulton Foundry and Machine Company as an apprentice. He served as President from 1955 until 1960. During this time, he served on the Board of Directors of Fulton Foundry, Ferry Cap and Set Screw, Inc., and the West Steel Casting Company; all of Cleveland. He was also on the Board of Cast Metal Bars, Inc., of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In addition, Mr. Davenport was a past Chairman and Director of the Northern Ohio Chapter Gray Iron Founders Society, past Treasurer of the Industrial Manufacturers Representative Association and a past National Director of the American Foundry Association of Chicago, Illinois. In the 1960's Mr. Davenport founded Peckinpaugh-Davenport, a manufacturers representatives company, selling both ferrous and nonferrous castings in the Ohio area. He retired in 1988 at the age of 72. Mr. Davenport enjoyed civic affairs. He was Trustee of the Cleveland Health Museum and of University Settlement of Cleveland, as well as an Alumni Council Member of University School. In the 1960's he served as President of the Cleveland Skating Club, where he also served as Director for several years. Mr. Davenport was a member of the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club for many years, serving on the Hunt Committee and as Chairman of the Chagrin Valley Hunter Trails. He was also a Board Member and Chairman of the Chagrin Valley PHA Horse Show. Mr. Davenport was a member of the Mayfield Country Club, the Cleveland Skating Club and the Hermit Club. John was a member of the Trails and Riding Club. He enjoyed horseback riding, fox hunting, duck and upland game hunting, boating and cribbage. He loved people and was a loyal friend. John was a generous and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.


PDF Printable Version