<body><div><div style="position:relative;width:100%; height:0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4dS8XWIrZM0?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" style="width:100%; height:100%;top:0; left:0; position:absolute"></iframe></div>Prescott Valley resident and retired United Airlines Captain Stephen Robert “Steve” Davis, whose remarkable aviation career and personal connection to the events of September 11, 2001, left a lasting impression on those who heard his story, passed away on September 8, 2026, at the age of 83. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=478JZG_1GwcE3qC00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=478JZG_1GwcE3qC00" width="1280" height="947" ></figure>A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, longtime airline captain, and dedicated family man, Davis spent much of his life serving others, both in the skies and within his community. His story carries a particularly meaningful connection to United Airlines Flight 93 and the fellow pilot whose life was lost that day.In a previously recorded interview, Davis reflected on his career, his friendship with Flight 93 Captain Jason Dahl, and the experience that forever changed his perspective on life and family. A Lifetime Dedicated to Aviation and ServiceBorn February 1, 1943, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Davis began his career in service to his country when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1962. As a KC-130 aircrew member, he transported Marines and supplies throughout the western Pacific during the Vietnam War. He attained the rank of Sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge in 1966. Following his military service, Davis joined United Airlines, beginning a career that would span more than 36 years. During his time with the airline, he held numerous positions, eventually becoming a Captain and Standards Captain responsible for training and evaluating flight crews. In his interview, Davis recalled retiring with approximately 18,000 flight hours, including time flying Boeing 737s, Boeing 757s, Boeing 767s, and DC-10 aircraft. He also worked as a line check airman, helping prepare new captains and flight crews for the responsibilities of commercial aviation. After more than three decades with United Airlines, Davis retired in 2003, completing his final flight to Oahu, Hawaii, with his family aboard. A Personal Connection to United Airlines Flight 93Among the many pilots Davis worked alongside throughout his career was Captain Jason Dahl, who served as the pilot of United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. The two worked together at United Airlines’ flight training center in Denver, Colorado, where they trained and evaluated pilots preparing for flight assignments. Davis remembered Dahl as a positive and encouraging colleague who could lift the spirits of pilots struggling through difficult training sessions. “He was a cut up, always had a smile, always had a good word for everybody,” Davis recalled in the interview.In late August 2001, Dahl approached Davis and several other pilots to ask whether someone could take his upcoming assignment on Flight 93. Dahl hoped to attend his son’s soccer match. Davis explained that he would have been happy to help, but he already had plans to go elk hunting with family and friends in northern Colorado. That decision would take on an entirely different meaning just weeks later. Learning About September 11 Days After the AttacksWhen the September 11 terrorist attacks occurred, Davis was hunting in a remote area of Colorado without access to television, radio, or cellular service. It was not until September 14, three days after the attacks, that he and his hunting companions learned what had happened. A rancher arrived at their camp on horseback, carrying a copy of the Rocky Mountain News. Davis recalled the shock of opening the newspaper and seeing the headlines. At the time, he did not yet know the full details of the aircraft involved or the people aboard. It was only after returning home and speaking with his wife that he learned Captain Dahl had been piloting Flight 93. The realization that he had been asked to fly that same assignment stayed with him throughout his life. In the interview, Davis reflected on the possibility that he could have been aboard the aircraft that day and the moments with his family he might never have experienced again. A Message About Family That EnduresWhile Davis’s experience was deeply connected to one of the most tragic days in American history, the message he took from it centered on something simple: never take time with loved ones for granted. “Don’t miss that opportunity to tell them you love them, kiss them goodbye,” Davis shared in the interview. He encouraged others to make those moments a priority, recognizing how unexpectedly life can change. His reflections offered a deeply personal perspective on September 11, not only as a fellow pilot who lost colleagues, but as a husband and father who understood how close his own family had come to experiencing a similar loss. Honoring the Lives Lost at the Healing FieldsDavis also spoke about the emotional impact of attending Captain Dahl’s memorial service in Colorado, where more than 200 pilots and flight attendants gathered in uniform to remember their colleague. He recalled seeing familiar faces throughout his career and the difficulty of saying goodbye to someone he had known and respected. Years later, Davis continued honoring the victims of September 11 through his involvement with Prescott Valley’s Healing Fields memorial. In 2021, he delivered the keynote address at the community’s 20th-anniversary Patriot Day ceremony, sharing his personal experience in a speech titled “There But for the Grace of God.” During his recorded interview, Davis described walking among approximately 3,000 American flags, each representing a life lost in the attacks. He remembered seeing photographs and information honoring the flight crews he had known, along with memorials recognizing military personnel, police officers, firefighters, and other victims. The experience was one he described with deep emotion, reflecting on the lives lost and the importance of continuing to remember them. Remembering Captain Steve DavisOutside of aviation, Davis was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and competitive shooting. He also volunteered in law enforcement during his years in Colorado, serving with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the Denver Police Department. He and his wife, Diann, moved to Prescott Valley in 2019 after spending many years in Colorado. According to his obituary, Davis is survived by his wife of 58 years, Diann, their two sons, Dean and Robert, nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and numerous extended family members and friends. His life was marked by service, dedication to his profession, and a commitment to the people around him. Through his previously recorded interview, Captain Davis leaves behind more than the story of an accomplished aviator. His reflections preserve a personal connection to September 11 and a reminder that continues to resonate beyond his passing. His message remains simple and meaningful: cherish the people you love and never miss an opportunity to tell them. To learn more about Captain Steve Davis’s life and legacy, visit his official obituary. </div></body>

Block Source: SignalsAZ

Misinformation

Clickbait

Old or repetitive news

Explicit content

Location not relevant

Prescott Valley resident and retired United Airlines Captain Stephen Robert “Steve” Davis, whose remarkable aviation career and personal connection to the events of September 11, 2001, left a lasting impression on those who heard his story, passed away on September 8, 2026, at the age of 83. A...

Remembering Captain Steve Davis

NewsBreak

Prescott Valley resident and retired United Airlines Captain Stephen Robert “Steve” Davis, whose remarkable aviation career and personal connection to the 

Remembering Captain Steve Davis

Comments