Donald "Don" Davis

1940 - 2017

Donald "Don" Davis

STAMFORD, TX

On Tuesday, March 7, 2017, Don Davis, our beloved husband, Dad, and Poppy left the shackles of this earth and crossed the finish line to be with our Heavenly Father. He passed away surrounded by his family in his home at Piedmont, Oklahoma, where he resided for over 35 years. A memorial service honoring Don's life will be held 2:00PM, Friday, March 24, 2017 at First Baptist Church in Stamford, with Reverend Elliott Powell officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Kinney-Underwood Funeral Home in Stamford. Online guest entries may be given at www.kinneyunderwoodfuneralhome.com.

Don (Donald) was born October 26, 1940 in Iowa Park, Texas and moved to Stamford with his family when he was 2. He graduated from Stamford High School in 1959, where he was an outstanding athlete, excelling in football, basketball, and track. He was selected football captain, winning All District, All Regional, and All State honors while participating as a key contributor on two state championship teams and was ultimately selected to the High School All American team. In track, he competed at multiple State Meets in the broad jump and relays.

He was highly recruited by schools from Texas, Kansas, and the University of Oklahoma. He accepted a full scholarship to The University of Houston, but in the end, he decided to follow his brothers, Charlie and Ernie, to McMurry College in Abilene on full scholarship. While at McMurry he had a successful football career being honored as team captain 2 years, selected to The Dallas Morning News All Texas Team, The Texas All College 11, and being selected as Little All-American Honorable Mention. He was ultimately inducted into the McMurry Athletic Hall of Honor April 13, 1996.

In January 1963, Don met Karen Potts of Post, Texas, and on March 29, 1963, they were married in Anson, Texas. They were married 54 years, as of March of 2017. Their only child, son Scott, was born in 1966 in Cleburne, Texas.

After being drafted and playing a short stint with the San Francisco 49ers, Don began his career coaching and teaching at Cleburne High from 1964-1967 and was head coach at Lorenzo High in 1968. His drive and desire to grow professionally led him to a career with Levi Strauss and Co. where he began as an assistant plant manager in San Angelo, Texas. He then became a sales representative with Levi's, working his way to territory manager, account manager, and eventually becoming an account executive in Oklahoma City. He achieved many awards with Levi's, including being the first salesman to ever receive the most prestigious award presented to an employee, the Daniel Koshland Award. He also won the Levi's Cowboys Tailor Award for his many years involved in high school rodeo, the National Quarter Horse Show, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, plus other horse related events.

He would tell you though, that his biggest achievements were his involvement with his son Scott, throughout his roping career; being the personal track and cross country coach of his twin granddaughters and helping their high school team win back-to-back track state championships; hanging out and playing golf with his grandson, Logan; and taking many motor home adventures with Nana and the grands.

He loved his family first and foremost, and is survived by his wife, Karen; son, Scott and his wife Kelly, of Piedmont, Oklahoma; his precious grandchildren, Jori, Jerika, and Logan, who he doted on. He is also survived by his brother Ernie Davis and his wife Sue, of Slaton, Texas; his sister Corinne Tatum of Bullhead City, Arizona; his sisters-in-law Suzy Moore of Lubbock, Texas, and Betty Davis of San Angelo, Texas; and many nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Hattie Bea and William Jefferson Davis, and his brothers Paul J. Davis and Charlie Davis.

Don excelled in the game of life, and his motto was always "treat others the way you want to be treated". He has left a big void in this world and an even larger void in his family's hearts. His spirituality, fearlessness, and great sense of humor stayed in play until the very end.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you donate instead to The Davis Brothers Scholarship Fund which is an annual award to a Stamford High senior. Please send donations to:

"The Davis Brothers Scholarship Fund"

The American National Bank of Texas

Attn: Michael Rideau

2703 Oak Lawn Ave

Dallas, Texas 75219