Oliver Michael “Mike” Davis, 82, of Loogootee, Indiana passed away on Saturday January 17, 2026, at Eastgate Nursing Home in Washington, Indiana.
He was born on March 29, 1943, in Washington, Indiana to the late Oliver Perry and Anna Laura (Sinnott) Davis.
Mike was a life-long mechanic, he was known to have developed a patent on an industrial tie – down that could be used in truck beds to secure anything that needed to be transported. He both made and marketed the tie-downs. He enjoyed developing marketing ideas. Mike worked with the Monroe Custom Bodies Team in promoting his tie-downs and their services at several conventions.
Mike’s passions were Indy Cars, Indy Lights, and Dirt Racing. He contributed to the racing industry in many ways, such as working on several Pit Crews (George Bignotti, John Menard, AL Unser, Gary Bettenhausen, and Bob Lazier). Mike also worked on the cars for AFS Indy Lights car owner and driver, Gary Peterson. Walking with him in the pits of the many national Indy tracks it seemed as everyone knew him.
During the month of May, you could always find him at the Indy 500 track working in numerous different capacities over several years. He also traveled both nationally and internationally with Indy racing teams.
In later years, he would tell many fascinating racing stories to anyone he met.
Mike loved animals of many different kinds, for example, he made a pet out of a wild albino skunk. However, he loved his dogs, Sugar and Jason; but his special love was his sister’s mini- Dachshund, Sydnie, who was always next to him. Mike will be missed by his family and many, many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and bother-in-law, Gary Woodfork.
Mike is survived by a half-brother, Roland L. (Ruth) Fegan, and sister, Sue Ann Woodfork of Loogootee, Mary Elaine Webb of Evansville, Kathryn Jean “Kathy” Davis of Loogootee, several nieces and nephews, great- nieces and nephews, one step-nephew, and two great step-nephews. He liked to tease all of them and teach them about things such as coin collecting, which was another passion and passed on his love for cars.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Very Rev. J. Kenneth Walker at 11:00 A.M Friday January 23, 2026, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Visitation will be held on the same day from 9:00 A.M until 10:45 A.M at the Church. Burial will follow in St. John Catholic Cemetery. A meal will be served for friends and family at the lower level of the St. John Center.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St. John the Evangelist Church.
Online condolences can be made at www.blakefuneralhomes.com
Arrangements provided by Blake Funeral Home in Loogootee, Indiana.
