Davis, Charles Young
Dr. Charles (CY) Davis, 84, of Blacksburg, VA, died peacefully on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at Lewis-Gale Hospital in Salem with his family by his side. CY was born on April 3, 1940, in McMinnville, TN to the late Jean R. Davis and Bernice G. Young.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carole Carrera Davis; two daughters, Sylvia Lynn Davis and Cynthia Davis May; four grandchildren, Winston and Natalie May, and Daniel and Caroline Barnard; brothers-in-law, Nick Carrera and Lud Carrera; sister-in-law, Maria Carrera (Corey Fayman); niece, Sasha Carrera; nephew, John Carrera; and special cousins, Polly Payne and Gene Young (Betty).
CY grew up in Arlington, VA, and realized he wanted to be a doctor from an early age, entertaining himself at the Washington Medical Museum as a child. He graduated in three years as a pre-med student from Johns Hopkins University and earned his MD from George Washington University in 1965. After an internship and three-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Norfolk General Hospital, CY volunteered to serve his country at Darnall Army Hospital in Killeen, TX, earning the rank of Major Davis. For two years, he delivered babies at Fort Hood, an army post experiencing record birth numbers during the Vietnam War years.
Following his time in the army, CY and Carole began looking for a small town to raise their family. They visited Blacksburg when Montgomery-Regional Hospital was still under construction, fell in love with the community, and moved with their daughters in 1971. CY helped open the hospital, was involved in writing the by-laws, and simultaneously founded Montgomery Ob/Gyn, Inc. He practiced solo for two and a half years as the first and only obstetrician-gynecologist in Montgomery County. CY was the last surviving physician of the original staff at the hospital.
After retiring in 2003, CY enjoyed creating and designing websites, had more time for travel, and became a proud and loving grandfather. He remained connected within the medical community at Montgomery-Regional and was eventually recruited back to the hospital to serve as Chief Medical Officer from 2008-2012.
Of the many state and national medical organizations to which he belonged, he was honored to have been a member of SCOGS since 1985. He served in many leadership roles and maintained their website over the years, but mostly enjoyed traveling annually with Carole to state-hosted meetings.
More than just a skilled surgeon, CY was known as a Renaissance man and Jack-of-all-trades, and was fully committed to every endeavor he pursued. He mastered a multitude of instruments, from the trumpet to guitar and banjo and even the bagpipes, which he proudly played solo or with the Highland Pipes and Drums in parades and other events. His voice was his greatest instrument and CY enjoyed performing in vocal groups and musical productions, beginning with the madrigals at Washington-Lee High School, the Glee Club at JHU, and the GWU Troubadours at Radio City Music Hall, to Blacksburg’s Master Chorale and singalongs with his children and grandchildren. A self-taught, pre-internet handyman, CY’s dexterous hands could build or fix anything, mechanical or electronic, from a curling iron to a Pac-Man Machine. He was an avid reader of science fiction, wrote several stories and poems of his own, and loved solving
crossword puzzles and the Wordle.
Living large and loving life was important to CY. He was a dedicated family man who enjoyed spending time with the love of his life and taking multi-generational vacations with extended family. Making connections with others came naturally to him and he valued both his recent and decades-long friendships, saddened by the recent loss of many close peers. He recognized the rare serendipity that his business partnerships became his greatest friendships– the Three OB Amigos. A Hokie at heart, CY spent many seasons supporting VT sports and tailgating with family and friends. His passions extended to the fine arts; he funded arts scholarships and served as a Moss Arts Partner for 6 years.
The family would like to give special thanks and recognition to the many individuals who cared
for CY in his final years and days – especially to his angel, Amy.
Visitation will be held on Monday, July 1 at 5 pm at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Dr SW, Blacksburg, VA, with a brief service at 6 pm. A private burial will be held at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, VA.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dr. Davis’ memory to the Home-Hunger-Health fund at the Community Foundation of the New River Valley. Checks made out to CFNRV with Home-Hunger-Health in the memo line may be mailed to PO Box 6009, Christiansburg, VA 24068-6009. Gifts may also be made online at https://cfnrv.org/give and designated to the Home-Hunger-Health Fund or consider a donation to a medical charity of your choice.
