Layten Davis

Spring Creek, Daniel Layten Davis, age 78, died on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at his residence in the mountains, peacefully and surrounded by family. A native of Madison County, he was the son of the late Glen Woodrow and Mary Elizabeth Smith Davis. Layten was an Army veteran serving in the Vietnam Era. He received his undergraduate degree from Berea College, Masters Degree from Michigan State University and Ph.D. from NC State University. Layten began his professional career in tobacco research 50 years ago. He was a Professor of Agronomy at the University of Kentucky and later served as the Director of the Tobacco and Health Research Institute. Layten retired as a Principal Research Scientist at RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company after a distinguished career there; he then continued as a consultant until his death. Layten was a recipient of the Philip Morris Golden Leaf Award and in 2012 was inducted into the WNC Agriculture Hall of Fame. He served over 10 years on the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission representing Madison County. He was an international expert on tobacco varieties and a member of the Scientific Commission of CORESTA. In 1999, he co-authored the definitive text on tobacco production, chemistry and technology. Layten had a passion for the Spring Creek Community. He and his wife Veda were instrumental in the restoration of the Spring Creek School and its development into the Spring Creek Community Center. Layten was a loving and compassionate husband, father, grandfather and friend. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Veda W. Davis; one daughter, Amy Davis Madsen, and her husband, Dr. James Madsen of Lexington, Kentucky; two sons, Dr. Daniel Edwin Davis, and his wife, Shannon, of Shelby, North Carolina and Thad Alan Davis, an attorney, and his wife, Ingrid, of Hillsborough, California; one brother, Dr. Vance Davis, and his wife, Janet, of High Point; seven grandchildren, Rickman, Katie, Ashley, Jason and Nicolas Davis and Riley and Markie Madsen. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at Long's Chapel United Methodist Church with Reverend Amy Forga officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. at the church. The family would like to express appreciation for the compassionate care provided during his hospitalization at Carolinas HealthCare System Cleveland, and a special thank you to DaVita Dialysis and Mountain Kidney in Asheville. Memorials may be made to Spring Creek Community Center 13075 Highway 209, Hot Springs, NC 28743. Wells Funeral Homes & Cremation Services of Waynesville is in charge of arrangements. An on-line memorial register is available at "Obituaries" at "www.wellsfuneralhome.com"

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