Walter Lamar Davis

Walter Lamar Davis, Jr., age 87, of Stonecrest, Georgia passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025. Walter (Walt and known to his family as Bo) was born December 27, 1937, in Atlanta, Georgia to Walter Lamar and Charlie Mae Davis. Walt received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Georgia State University in 1959. He then served in the Army Adjutant General Corps from October 1959 through April 1962 attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Walt then began to sell real estate prior to setting up his own business building and remodeling homes. His love of real estate led him to invest on the side in rental properties which served him well into retirement. From 1966 to 1976, Walt served as a Georgia State Legislator for districts in DeKalb County. In December 1984, he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as Regional Director for Region 4 of the General Services Administration. He served in that appointment until September 1989.
Walt was known for his strong work ethic which he developed at a young age. He began working as a paper delivery boy with the Atlanta Journal Constitution at the age of 12, winning many salesmanship awards prior to attending college. That experience set the standard for everything he pursued throughout his life. Walt had a passion for plants and trees, and a love for animals, both of which he passed down to his daughters He was generous with his time, knowledge and money donating to many worthy causes. He was most generous with his daughters and family, always providing for fun and adventure...once the work was done. Walt had an almost childlike sense of humor, playing pranks and telling jokes. But mostly, he loved to share his knowledge, which was extensive and ranged from every aspect of the construction process from design to finishing touches to all the nuances of a political campaign. From an early age, he was very civic minded which led him to run for the Georgia state legislature at 29 years old. Beyond his legislative service, he remained civic and service oriented. Our hearts are heavy with our loss, but we are consoled by the knowledge that his legacy is woven into the lives of so many.
Walt is survived by his wife of 67 years, Bertha (Bertie) Kate Thompson and his two daughters, Terry Gibbons (William) of Covington, Georgia and Linda Hart (Joseph) of Nashville, TN. He is also survived by his brother Clay Davis (Frances). Walt has three grandchildren, Kevin Gibbons (Eileen), Joshua Cox (Hillary) and Andrew Cox (Hannah) and two greatgrandchildren Owain Gibbons and Davis Cox. Walt was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Jean Trammell and Kathryn Richardson, and brother Charles Davis.
Funeral services will be held at the Scot Ward Funeral Services in Conyers, Georgia Sunday March 30th at 10:30 am with internment to immediately follow at historic Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia. Visitation will also be held at 9:30 am on Sunday March 30th just prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to Tunnel for Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org http://www.t2t,org) or St Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).
Scot Ward Funeral Services makes this announcement for the family and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.scotward.com.