Name: Visitation for O.k. "Buddy" Davis
Start: 2019-07-19T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-07-20T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home - Ruston

O.K. "Buddy" Davis

Ruston - Orville Kince (O.K. "Buddy") Davis, 72, was born July 26, 1946, in Goliad, Texas, and died July 13, 2019, in Ruston, Louisiana.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Friday, July 19, 2019, at Owens Memorial Funeral Home in Ruston, Louisiana. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2019, at the Presbyterian Church of Ruston with Nancy Bergeron officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Ruston under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.

Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, Howard C. Davis and Mildred Lee Davis. He is survived by cousins Jennifer Davis Betts and husband Steve of Ruston, Louisiana, Stephanie Davis Burman and husband Richard of Hockley, Texas and Flo Davis Miskelley of Ruston, as well as his Ruston Daily Leader family.

A graduate of Ruston High School and Louisiana Tech University, Buddy spent more than 50 years writing about sports for the Ruston Daily Leader, starting as a reporter while still in high school before becoming sports editor in 1970 and eventually being named executive sports editor.

Buddy was a beacon shining a national spotlight on Lincoln Parish athletic figures, not only telling their stories but also striking up strong personal friendships in the process.

Over the years, Davis covered two major league All-Star games; an NBA All-Star game; an NCAA men's Final Four; a BCS national title game; 12 Super Bowls; three NCAA outdoor track championships, two Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremonies, the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich and the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.

He also served as a member of the Heisman Trophy selection committee, Wooden Award committee, Football Writers Association of America All-American committee and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame selection committee.

A winner of countless awards, Buddy was a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame and the Ark-La-Tex Sports Hall of Fame. He was honored by the Grambling Legends Hall of Fame, the Football Writers Association of America and the Louisiana Sports Writers Association for his years of service as a sports writer, and he was the 2013 Louisiana Tech College of Liberal Arts Alumnus of the Year.

He was also honored by the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches in 2010 as Mr. Louisiana Basketball.

And in 2016, Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker proclaimed July 26 of that year — Buddy's birthday — as Buddy Davis Day for the City of Ruston. He was also honored with "The Buddy Davis Story" being part of the Smithsonian's "Hometown Heroes" exhibit in 2016 at the Lincoln Parish Library.

When the Joe Aillet Football Stadium press box at Louisiana Tech University was rebuilt in 2017, the media room there was named in Davis' honor.

Even after suffering a stroke in July of 2013 that left him with only partial use of his right arm and hand, Buddy kept on writing weekly columns and blogs as well as other occasional stories. Buddy always appreciated the love and constant support from his many friends. A special thank you to the staff of Princeton Place in Ruston for their love, care and support over the past six years.

Pallbearers will be Aaron James, Bert Jones, Teddy Allen, Malcolm Butler, Dan Childress and Brad Laird.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends encourage donations to the O.K. "Buddy" Davis Endowed Scholarship Fund at Louisiana Tech University. Donations may be made by check payable to "Louisiana Tech University Foundation" or by credit card. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 1190, Ruston, La. 71273-1190. Credit card donations can be made online at www.latechalumni.org/gifts.

To leave a memorial message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Shreveport Times on Jul. 16, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for O.k. Davis

Sponsored by Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home - Ruston.

4 Entries

Jerie Shirley Black

July 17, 2019

Buddy walked across the lobby of The First National Bank of Ruston and stopped at my desk. I knew who he was as his reputation preceded him but I had never met him. 'I know your Daddy' he said and our friendship started right then in 1969. A favorite story: Buddy knew I had a giant crush on Joe Namath and one day he brought me a 5x7 black and white photo of Joe in a locker room with a towel wrapped around his waist...omg. However, after a couple of weeks he came by...he wanted the photo back. He said he felt bad for giving that particular photograph away....like he betrayed the brotherhood of sports writers. Reluctantly I gave it back. So....if anyone comes across a picture of Joe Namath in a towel...it belongs to me! But Buddy belongs to the ages. Legend indeed.

Randy McGilberry

July 17, 2019

I met Buddy OK Davis in 1972 as a new arrival for Bulldogs baseball. He greeted me with that one of a kind smile and interviewed me. That day began a journey that would last for a few decades. He was always keeping me in the loop during my professional days and sending articles to me even after I left the game. I'll always remember him being upbeat and positive. I was sad to learn thru a dear friend in Ruston that this great man who loved writing and sharing had gone to his eternal home. I loved him and for the articles he wrote putting sports people on a pedestal thru words and making them bigger than life. My condolences to the family and to my dear friend "Rest in Peace".

Dan Newman

July 16, 2019

He was a great writer, advocate for Louisiana and Lincoln Parish sports, and dearly loved his university: Louisiana Tech. He had a great laugh, a contagious smile, and always had his hand out to help someone else with at least a pat on the back, but often with more. Ruston lost a great friend. Louisiana Sports lost one of its chief advocates. And Louisiana Tech lost who may be its most famous ever wordsmith. Buddy is already sorely missed. Rest well, my friend.

The Staff of Owens Funeral Home

July 16, 2019

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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