Oryle Vaughn Davis, 91, of Medford, died Monday, June 5, 2023 at Benedictine Living Community.

He was born December 12, 1931 in Madelia, Minnesota the son of Virgil and Elnora (Hamann) Davis. He grew up in Lake Crystal, Minnesota where he graduated from high school in 1949. He joined the United States Navy on February 26, 1951 and served in Great Lakes, IL, Bayonne, NJ, Washington D.C., and Charleston, SC before his honorable discharge on February 25, 1955.

Following his military service, he enrolled at Mankato State University and graduated with a teaching degree. He was united in marriage to JoAnn Owens on August 12, 1959 in Lake Crystal. The couple made their home in Owatonna and Oryle began his teaching career in Medford. In 1961, they moved to Medford. He taught math in Medford until his retirement in 1993. During his tenure at Medford he also coached Junior High basketball and football.

Oryle was a member of the United Methodist Church in Owatonna. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger years, gardening (especially flowers), bird watching and feeding, watching the Vikings, Twins and Gophers, crossword, jigsaw and sudoku puzzles, and coffee with his friends at McDonalds in Medford and Monday gatherings at Pizza Ranch in Owatonna. He had an easy-going, laid-back personality that endeared him to many people. Recently he received word that he would be inducted into the Medford High School Hall of Fame in October, 2023.

He is survived by daughter, Deborah Davis of Jacksonville, FL and her sons, Greyson (Amanda) Ward and their daughter, Genevieve of Jacksonville, FL and Braden (Mary Beth) Ward of Longmont, CO; son, Bruce (Char) Davis of Montgomery, MN and their children, Kelsey (Alex) Palme and their son Brooks of Mankato and Brad Davis of Mankato; son, Steve Davis of Glencoe, MN and his daughter, Natalie Davis of Glencoe; sister-in-law, Shirley Davis of Mankato; close nephew, Vern (Karen) Owens of Medford and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Elnora; wife, JoAnn Davis (2009) and brother, Jim Davis (2011).

Funeral services will be held at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna on Friday, June, 23, 2023, at 11:00 AM with visitation 2 hours prior. Interment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna with military honors by the Steele County Military Funeral Unit.