FRANK DAVIS

1936 - 2018

August 24, 1936 - September 9, 2018 GUTHRIE Frank W. Davis, Guthrie attorney and former State Legislator, died suddenly at his home, Sunday evening, September 9, 2018.Frank W. Davis, born to R.G. and Neva Davis August 24, 1936, grew up on a farm near Francis, Oklahoma and was a 1954 graduate of Francis High School. He graduated from East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma, in 1958 with a BA Degree in History and Government. While at East Central he was a member of the Debate Team, President of the Pre-Law Club and of the League of Young Conservatives. He received the Ada News Award for the highest grade average in the Junior-Senior classes. He attended law school at the University of Illinois and the University of Oklahoma where he received a LLB Degree at the age of 23 being the youngest lawyer in Oklahoma. After admission to the Bar, he returned to Ada where he was soon appointed acting Postmaster. While in Ada he met and married Kay Higginbotham and recently celebrated their 57th Wedding Anniversary on August 12th.In 1961 Frank was appointed County Attorney (now District Attorney) in Guthrie where he and Kay have resided, raising two sons, David and Paul.In 1965 he established a private law practice in Guthrie with emphasis on real estate and probate which he maintained until his death. He served as Guthrie Municipal Judge and as attorney for Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma, several Rural Water Districts and two Municipal Governments. Always interested in Government, he has been Republican County Chairman for both Pontotoc and Logan Counties and was an Oklahoma delegate to the National Republican Conventions in 1984 and 1996 and an alternate delegate in 2000. In 1978 Frank was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives for District 31 where he continued to be reelected and served for Twenty-Six years, being term limited in 2004. During his tenure in the Legislature he authored approximately 100 pieces of legislation which became law. He served as Assistant Minority Floor Leader and was Minority Floor Leader from 1982 to 1986.Frank has been active in many community organizations. He has been a member of the Guthrie Lions Club for over fifty years, serving as Club President, District Governor and Council Chairperson (State President). He is an active Gideon, speaking in many churches to raise funds for Bible purchases. He is a 32 Degree KCCH Scottish Rite Mason and belongs to the York Rite of Masonry. He is a member of the American Legion and a Director of the Territorial Capital Sports Museum. For thirty-nine years he was Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 850 sponsored by the First United Methodist Church of Guthrie and received the Silver Beaver Award, the Last Frontier Council's highest award for service in scouting. Thirty-five young men earned Eagle Scout awards during his tenure. Frank and Kay have been active members of the First United Methodist Church of Guthrie, where in addition to being Scoutmaster he has held every office. In 1976 he was a delegate from Oklahoma to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church, its International Legislative Body, and is currently a Trustee of the United Methodist Foundation.Frank was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Betty. Survivors are wife, Kay of the home; sons, David and wife, Shelly of Guthrie and Paul and wife, Tanya of Edmond; and grandchildren, Ashley, Lauren, Jacob, Hope, Ben, Grace, and Kate.Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, September 14, 2018, at First United Methodist Church, Guthrie. Graveside service will be at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Francis, Oklahoma, at 2:00 P.M. Services are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home.Visitation will be held Thursday, September 13th, from Noon until 8:00 P.M. at Smith-Gallo Funeral Home. Memorial gifts may be sent to the First United Methodist Church of Guthrie or Gideons International. Friends may sign the online guestbook at: www.smithgallo.com