Milford Ray Davis

Family-Placed Obituary

Milford Ray Davis Milford Ray Davis, 92, of New Braunfels, Tex., loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on February 8, 2005. He was born in Eliasville, Tex., on January 29, 1913, to H.E. and Daisy Modena (Ardis) Davis. Milford graduated from Daniel Baker College and began a career as a high school teacher and coach in Loving, Reisel and Lott. He entered the U.S. Army in March 1942, and proudly served his country during WWII. He quickly became Second Lt. to the 377th Infantry Regiment and the 95th Infantry Division, prior to the D-Day Invasion in Normandy. Mr. Davis was then promoted to Captain of Company D, 377th Infantry. After being wounded in France in November 1944, he was awarded the Purple Heart and then received the Silver Star for bravery in battle in Germany in December 1944. After the war, Mr. Davis earned a Master's Degree from North Texas State Teacher's College. He returned to teaching and coaching football and basketball in Laredo. Later he moved to Austin, coaching at McCallum High School and then as head coach at Travis High School. He served many years as Principal of Porter Junior High School, finally retiring as Director of Pupil Services for the Austin Independent School District. Mr. Davis remained in the Army Reserve, graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, rose to the rank of Lt. Col. and served as Commander of an Infantry Battalion. An avid "yardener", vegetable gardener and dedicated member of Rotary Club, he enjoyed fishing off the Texas Gulf Coast, playing bridge and loved dancing with Frances at Sangerrunde Hall in Austin. His wife, Frances Walker Davis, daughter, Anne James, his parents, and two brothers, Roland Davis and Gilbert Davis preceded him in death. He is survived by a daughter, Nancy Buffler of Marlborough, N.H.; grandchildren, Eric James and wife, Teri, Joel James and wife, Kathy, Nancy Street and husband, Richard, Lisa Hill and husband, Dennis, Molly Waldrip and husband, David, Robert Buffler and wife, Sally Caudill, John Buffler and wife, Ilse, Susan Buffler and Dennis Hinkamp; sister-in-law, Valda Davis; nephews, Richard Davis, James Davis and Don Davis; numerous cousins; nieces and nephews; and 22 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Davis, may be made to a favorite charity of your choice. Celebration of Life Services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 11, 2005, at Pennington Memorial Chapel with Rev. Mark Newton officiating. Arrangements under the care and guidance of Pennington Funeral Home, 323 N. Comanche, San Marcos, TX 78666, 512-353-4311.