Davie L. "Be-bop" Govan

Davie “Be-bop” Govan, 83, of Davenport, passed away Friday, May 30, 2025, at MercyOne Genesis, Davenport. Per his request cremation will be accorded and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, assisted the family.

Davie Leroy Govan was born March 3, 1942, in Memphis, TN, to David Wade and Lenora Long and was raised by his mother and stepfather Albert Porter. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Watkins and later to Gladys Powell on June 22, 2005, in Davenport.

Prior to his retirement he had worked as a forklift operator for John Deere.

Davie or “Be-bop” as he was known in the music scene, was an accomplished drummer and played in several bands, locally and nationally, over the years, most notably with Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, and Isaac Hayes. He was recognized as a Great Blues Artist from the Quad Cities in the Blues Hall of Fame on March 11, 2018. He was a sound technician, loved working on cars and playing the lottery. In his earlier years he excelled in sports, especially football, track and field, and boxing. He was an excellent swimmer and worked briefly as a lifeguard.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife Gladys; children Tamika Govan of Memphis, Damian Govan of Davenport, Kesha Woods of Memphis, Benita Jones of Phoenix, AZ, Melissa Lee of Rock Island, Thomas Powell of Carroll, IA, Jeremy Govan of Davenport, Lenora Govan of Bettendorf, Dirk Govan of Davenport, Ella Caruthers of Davenport, Terry Wilson of Birmingham, AL, Rebecca Jones of Davenport; stepchildren Kevin Freilinger and Joseph Freilinger of Davenport; a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren; and many loving extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother and stepfather Lenora and Albert Porter, sons Kelvin Govan and Alan Powell Govan, grandchildren David Alan Govan, Quatrez Govan, Jeremiah Govan, Damiana Govan, Layla Govan, and Abriel Govan, brother Milton Porter, and an infant brother.

Online remembrances may be expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.