On October 14, 2023, Van Buren firefighter, Captain Richard Lee Davis, 50, died after a year-long heroic battle with cancer. Richard was a beloved husband, father, and friend to many.

Captain Richard Lee Davis was born on October 18, 1972, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to the late Cecilia Humphries Kasprytzki. Richard was the beloved husband to his wife of 30 years, Natalie “Gretchen” Davis, and a loving father to his two sons and daughter. Richard was blessed with many nieces and nephews.

Captain Davis was a graduate of Mountainburg High School and held many certifications, including welding, HAZMAT, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and Firefighter. Richard began his lifelong career when the late Mountainburg Fire Chief Terry Bassham recruited Captain Davis to volunteer with District 3 Fire Department. Richard was a volunteer for nine years and spent the rest of his life in service with his brothers at the Van Buren Fire Department.

Richard was giving in nature, a loyal friend, and always the first one to offer help when you needed it. Richard enjoyed traveling, cooking, hunting, and fishing and rarely passed on the opportunity for a practical joke. Richard enjoyed the time he was able to spend with his children helping with their football, baseball, FFA, and 4-H projects. Captain Davis was a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters #4078.