Richard James Davies

Richard Davies

On Wednesday, March 2, 2022, Richard J. Davies, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed quietly at his home in the East Mountains, New Mexico at the age of 83.

Dr. Davies was born on October 15, 1938, to the late Albert and Catherine Davies in Youngstown, Ohio.  Richard was the youngest of three children; his two older siblings, Al Davies and Barbara Cubbon, preceded him in death along with his first wife, Carolyn Stines Davies.

Richard grew up in Mill Creek Park (Youngstown, Ohio) where his father was the park superintendent.  He spoke often and fondly of those early years which sparked his love for the outdoors.  Richard enjoyed spending time working on outdoor projects, watering his extensive landscaping, battling gophers, raising bees and sharing his hard-earned honey with loved ones.  He was also very athletic, running, swimming, biking, and in his younger years, playing a pretty mean game of basketball.  In addition, Dr. Davies earned his private pilot’s license and loved to fly his Cessna aircraft during his free time.

Dr. Davies graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology from Youngstown State University in 1963 and went on to medical school and graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, Missouri in 1967.  Following medical school, Dr. Davies served his residency at Mt. Clemens General Hospital, in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, from 1968-1971 in Otorhinolaryngology and Oral Facial Plastic Surgery.  Following his residency, Dr. Davies opened a private practice in Albuquerque from 1971-1992 and then in Carlsbad, New Mexico, from 1992-2006.  Dr. Davies and his wife Jennifer moved out to the East Mountain area in 2008 and served as a consultant until 2012.  Dr. Davies’ professional accomplishments included serving on multiple medical boards and serving as President of the New Mexico Osteopathic Medical Association from 1976-1977.  He also played an important role in the development of a surgery center in Carlsbad, New Mexico.  His medical career spanned well over a 40-year period.  He also served his country in the Marines from 1956-1958.

Dr. Davies was not just an excellent physician and surgeon, but a thoughtful and caring man.  Dr. Davies not only connected with his patients, but with people he came in contact with wherever he went.  His legacy includes a love for people, a love for his profession, a love of the outdoors, a love for his family, and man who cared deeply about people and issues affecting them.   His contributions to his family, profession, and communities will not soon be forgotten.

Dr. Davies leaves behind his wife, Jennifer, and his children: Matt Davies and his wife, Wendy Van Wootten Davies; daughter Lesley Knaggs and her husband Pat, grandchildren Cecilia and Gabrielle Knaggs; and stepdaughter Jonna Dolge.

Special thanks go out to Dr. Aaron Kaufman, Dr. Joy Lovett, Hospice de la Luz, and Pastor Colonel Tom Lambert and Forest Meadow Baptist Church.  Cremation has taken place and a private Memorial Service will take place later in the year.