L. Wayne Davis

July 16, 1929 - January 2, 2019

L. Wayne Davis of Albuquerque, New Mexico passed peacefully to be with our Lord January 02, 2019. Wayne was born July 16, 1929 to Edith and Lloyd Davis of Medicine Lodge, Kansas. He is preceded in death by his wife Patricia Dublin and his wife Betty Davis. Wayne is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Davis of Edgewood, New Mexico, his sons, Bill Davis (Caroline) of Round Rock, Texas and Robert Davis (Janet Forbes) of Denver, Colorado, his granddaughter Armineh Davis, and his grandsons Aren Davis, Travis Danna, and Trenton Danna. Wayne graduated from the University of Kansas in 1952 with a B.S. in Engineering Physics. Wayne relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico after his graduation to pursue work in the burgeoning field of nuclear physics at the government research facilities at Sandia Laboratories. He left Sandia Laboratories in 1956 to help form Dikewood Corporation which specialized in the studies of the effects of nuclear weapon blasts. While at Dikewood Corporation, Wayne pursued additional studies and graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1959 with an M.S. in Electrical Engineering. Wayne held positions at Dikewood Corporation from the Head of Weapons Effects to President and Chairman of the Board. He led the research into the study of the long term effects of the nuclear blasts at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan and how to protect weapon systems from the associated harmful electromagnetic impulses generated by nuclear blasts. Dikewood Corporation was purchased by Kaman Sciences in 1982 during which time Wayne served as Vice President and General Manager of the Dikewood Division until his retirement in 1983. After retirement, Wayne pursued his interest in flying. Wayne was an avid pilot and enjoyed many hours in his Cessna. His favorite time of year though was during wheat harvest in Kansas where he would return every year to the family farms and enjoy the activities surrounding harvest. Wayne never forgot his roots from Kansas. He dearly loved the land on which he had grown up and that had always provided for the well being of his family. In his heart, Kansas was always home. Contributions may be made to the First Christian Church, 309 South Main Street, Medicine Lodge, Kansas 67104. Visitation will be on Saturday, January 19, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Larrison Funeral Home, 120 E. Lincoln, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104. Graveside services will follow at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January, 19, 2019 at Highland Cemetery, 803 North Iliff Street, Medicine Lodge, Kansas with Pastor Tom Walters officiating. The Davis Family will host a community reception immediately following the graveside service, at approximately 12:00 Noon at First Christian Church, 309 South Main Street, Medicine Lodge, KS.