Family tradition: Davis family’s roots planted in civil service

Published Jan. 21, 2016
By Kimberly Woodruff
Staff Writer

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- It's not uncommon to find children of Tinker employees continuing in their parents' footsteps and joining civil service. One family has a Tinker legacy that goes back as far as 1943.

Ninety-four-year-old Eulila Davis is an original Rosie the Riveter. Her career began in 1943 when Tinker Air Force Base was called Douglas Aircraft Factory. Her husband, Joseph, joined the Navy at the start of World War II, so Mrs. Davis went to work to care for her family.

"I wanted to work a job that paid fair, and I didn't have to work in fast food," said Mrs. Davis, who worked on aircraft as a sheet metal mechanic. Her son, Lloyd, was just 2 years old and stayed with his grandmother during the day.

On Aug. 15, 1945 -- VJ Day, the day the U.S. declared victory over Japan -- the whistles blew and the ladies were sent home.

"We checked in our tools and they sent us home with three weeks' severance pay," said Mrs. Davis.

Mr. Davis made it home safe from the war and also worked at Tinker until he retired in 1981, he passed away on Nov. 26, 2000.

Mrs. Davis worked odd jobs at a theater, drugstore and restaurant before returning to Tinker in 1951 to once again take up a wrench. She worked in Department 505 making sheet metal tank covers for the C-47 as well as C-54s and modifications for the B-52.

Mrs. Davis worked until she had twin girls, Linda and Brenda, in 1954.

Eventually, Mrs. Davis became a nurse and went to work for the Veterans Administration Hospital to care for veterans for six years before finishing her career with McBride Bone and Joint Hospital after 19 years.

Her son, Lloyd Davis, began his career at Tinker on Jan. 28, 1968. Starting as a WG-5 helper, later Lloyd was accepted in three training programs: 1968 for machinist and 1973 as a CNC machinist and in 1981 as a CNC programmer.

"I was the only African American CNC programmer for the Air Force at the time of my retirement in 2000," said Lloyd. "I took advantage of every opportunity afforded to me, and never refused any assignment handed to me."

During Lloyd's career in jet engine repair and CNC Programming, he provided support for a number of aircraft including their power plants for the B-52, KC-135, B-1, F-111, A-10, TF-37, F-15, C-141, and his last major project on the C-5 was at WR-ALC Robins AFB GA.

Lloyd was a great influence on his son. "Steven followed what I taught him," said Lloyd. "Any job is worth doing right and to always do your best."

Steven joined the U.S. Army in 1988 and served in Desert Storm. After an injury ended his military career, he knew he would return to work for the Department of Defense.

"I remember dad would take me out to the base in the early 80s. I loved the aircraft," said Steven. "When I got out of the Army in 1991, there was a hiring freeze, so I moved to Florida."

Steven came back and applied at Tinker in 2010 and was hired as a jet engine mechanic working on the F-100 and eventually on the B-52. He was hurt in 2013 and is now permanently disabled.

Though there were improvements made to the job Steven did, it was too late for him, and his mechanic career was done.

"It was a pleasure and a joy to serve my country, both in the U.S. Army and Tinker AFB," said Steven. "I enjoyed every last bit of it, and I miss my old plane, the B-52. I loved my time out there."

Mrs. Davis, the matriarch of the family, stays sharp by being a foster grandparent to young children. She said she tells them the stories about being a "Rosie Riveter" and about her time at Tinker.

"I can't imagine retiring and just sitting around the house all day," she said.
Steven comes to visit her every day, as do her daughters. Brenda is a Pharmacy Technician serving American heroes at the VA Hospital and Linda retired from AT&T after 36 years.

"It's the love that our family has for one another that has kept us moving and going strong," Brenda said. "We stay together, encourage one another, comfort and strengthen each other as we go on our individual journeys."

Mrs. Davis' family consists of four children one deceased son, six grandchildren 12 great grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.

"We don't need to be in a gang, we have our own tribe," said Mrs. Davis. "I'm just so proud of my family."