Dr. Carl L. Davis

Dr. Carl L. Davis of Nacogdoches passed away earlier this week after a lengthy illness. Born August 27, 1934, Carl grew up on a farm near Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Upon graduating from high school, he went on to study history at both Oklahoma State University and Rice University, often funding his own education by working, among other places, at a Coca-Cola bottling plant. In 1962 Carl accepted a teaching position in history at Stephen F Austin State College. In 1967 he married his wife, Lucy, and for a time they returned to Stillwater, Okla. where Carl completed his Ph.D. in history, becoming the first Ph.D in that field from Oklahoma State University in 1970. His Civil War based dissertation, "Arming the Union," was later published as a respected monograph. He returned to Nacogdoches and to SFA where he remained with his wife and family, to whom he was loving and devoted. During his long career as a professor, Carl distinguished himself with teaching awards as well as the creation of several popular courses. Among them were: "The American Presidency," the Biographic History of Distinguished Americans," and "American Military Policy." His popularity with graduate students led him to supervision of a number of very well crafted M.A. theses. Carl was active in politics throughout his life, working on the campaigns of several Democrats, most notably the late Ralph Yarborough. In the 1960s Carl worked with Young Democrats and later he became an occasional political commentator on KTRE. A convert to Roman Catholicism in adulthood, Carl served on the Sacred Heart Parish council for several years and had been active in that parish's Third Age Club until his illness. Carl was an avid reader who enjoyed books on history, politics, as well as, mysteries and current events. He loved music especially opera, classical and tradition folk and bluegrass. A lover of the outdoors, Carl for many years joined his friends for an annual camping trip along the Attoyac River in East Texas. In later years his love of nature was confined to sitting on his patio where he was always ready to share coffee and conversation with friends and neighbors. Drawing from his childhood on a farm, he loved to regale his grandchildren with stories of camping out in the woods, home remedies, and even riding on the back of his favorite pig. In addition to childhood stories, Carl always peppered his conversation with humorous anecdotes from history and politics and could laugh even in the most difficult times. Calm and sweet-natured, he was often a source of comfort and wisdom to those around him. Carl was preceded in death by his wife, Lucy, and son, Joshua. He was also preceded by father, Clarence; mother, Beulah; and brother, Gary. He is survived by his daughter, Abigail; and son-in-law, Mitch; and six grandchildren, Margaret, John, Josephine, Sarah, Helen, and David, all of Princeton, New Jersey, as well as his niece, Caroline Davis, of San Antonio. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Leslie Jameson; and sister-in-law, Donna, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; and a brother-in-law, David Jameson of Chicago, Illinois; and their families. A memorial Mass will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, November 2, 2009, at Sacred Heart Church, followed by an interment at Oak Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Stephen F. Austin History Department Excellence Fund. Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.