The game Landon Davis loved will serve as the setting for his final farewell. Killed in a two-vehicle traffic accident in Calhoun County on Tuesday, Aug. 11, the veteran and beloved baseball umpire's funeral will be held Saturday, Aug. 22, on Tallahassee State College's Eagle Field at 10 a.m. For those who knew Davis, the location is fitting. The 55-year-old Crawfordville resident and Wakulla High School graduate spent more than three decades on baseball diamonds across the region, working games at nearly every level of the sport. During a 34-year umpiring career, Davis officiated in the Independent League, Gulf South Conference, Panhandle Conference, MEAC, Atlantic Sun Conference, NCAA and FHSAA. Umpire Landon Davis a familiar face in baseball community
According to his wife, Deana, some of Davis' favorite assignments came close to home, including games involving Tallahassee State College, Florida State and Florida A&M. He had hoped to eventually retire behind the plate at a TSC home game. He also shared countless games with his older brother, Larry Davis, as the two umpired side by side throughout much of their careers. "Baseball has been a tightly woven thread in the life that Landon and I have shared together for the past 32 years," Deana told the Tallahassee Democrat. "I am truly grateful for the joy that it brought to our life. After much internal back-and-forth, he had eminent plans on officiating his last plate behind one of the longstanding fixtures in his career, the very home plate that he’ll be laying behind next Saturday. While Landon’s impact went well beyond the baseball field for our children and grandchildren, I am so grateful to be given the opportunity to honor my husband’s baseball legacy in such a meaningful way." TSC Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation Brett Rutherford said the college embraced the opportunity to host the service. "Landon's going to be greatly missed, and I take some solace knowing that we can honor him in this way at our facility because of how much time he spent out there and how much he loved being on the ball field," Rutherford said. "It was such tragic news, and we are glad that we can step up and honor him."
Davis was a familiar face in the baseball community, where he was known not only for his professionalism behind the plate, but also for his steady presence and love of the game. "Everyone at the college has been in support of making this happen," TSC baseball coach Bryan Henry said. "Landon did so much for the baseball community and will be forever remembered at Eagle Field." Away from the field, Davis built a life centered on family an faith. He and Deana were married for 32 years and raised three children while welcoming six grandchildren. He also worked in sales for Tribe Paper Company in Tallahassee. Davis will be buried at Lake Ellen Baptist Church cemetery. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Baseball umpire Landon Davis' funeral set for TSC's Eagle Field