Dan Smith Davis

DAN SMITH DAVIS After a courageous three year battle with cancer, Dan Smith Davis passed away at his home in Huntsville, Texas, on October 12, 2013. A seventh generation resident of Walker County, Dan was born on June 2, 1939, in Huntsville to Sue Anna and Raymond Davis. Dan loved growing up in Huntsville and enjoyed playing sports such as baseball and football. He enjoyed throughout his life the many friendships he made as a child. Dan loved exploring the woods and fishing at the family’s beloved Lake Sudan. At the age of 15, Dan was selected as a Jr. Ambassador to South America representing the East Texas Chamber of Commerce. He had the interesting experience of meeting all of the heads of government of the countries he visited, including Juan Peron. This trip was the catalyst that fueled his love of travel that lasted his lifetime. After graduation from Huntsville High School in 1957, he attended Rice University and graduated with a degree in Economics. Following his graduation from Rice in 1961, he married his high school sweetheart, Elsie. They celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary in Italy two years ago. He called her Queenie and he was her Prince Charming. Dan was commissioned as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps in 1961. Dan and Elsie lived in Virginia and California while Dan was in the service. He and his unit were deployed during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Throughout the years, Dan enjoyed reading the Commandant’s letter at the commencement of the annual Marine Corps Birthday Celebration. He was truly proud to be an American, and always flew the American flag at his home on holidays. In 1964, Dan became a father to his greatest gift of all, daughter Jennifer. They adored each other. They truly understood each other from the beginning and possessed the same sense of humor. He was the father that every child deserves. Many years were spent in commercial banking. He began his career as an officer at Republic National Bank in Dallas, Texas. He was a Vice President at First City National Bank in Houston, and traveled between Houston and New York City as a Vice President of Citibank. Dan was also a Sr. Vice President at Sam Houston National Bank. Dan was President of two banks; Huntsville National Bank and Ridgelea National Bank of Fort Worth. After his retirement, Dan managed the family investment partnership. From 1992 until 2000, Dan served on the Huntsville City Council. He served as Mayor Pro-tem his last year as a Council member. He was chairman of the finance committee and represented Huntsville on the Houston-Galveston Area Council. Dan was elected President of the San Jacinto Region of the Texas Municipal League spanning the Greater Houston Area. The Texas Attorney General appointed Dan to serve on the Municipal Advisory Committee in Austin. In 2002, Dan served as Chairman of the Board of the Huntsville Walker County Chamber of Commerce. He was honored to be the first recipient to receive the Edwin G. Sandhop Spirit of Huntsville Award at the Chamber Gala in 2010. Dan became a dedicated Rotarian when he served as the President of the Huntsville Rotary Club. That was the year Rotary began the Polio Plus project to help eradicate polio throughout the world. He and Elsie have continued to support Polio Plus for many years by becoming Major Donors and benefactors to the Rotary Foundation. Dan was selected as the Rotary District Governor of District 5910. Dan and Elsie enjoyed traveling and making numerous friends in the district and all over the world. Dan was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow. In 2006, Dan became a board member of the Texas Lone Star Pets, President Elects Training Seminar, which is mandatory training for all incoming Texas Rotary Presidents. He served as Operating Chair and was Chairman of the Board in 2013. Dan was an especially proud father when he inducted his daughter, Jennifer, into the Huntsville Rotary Club in 2012, and again when he installed her as a Director of the Huntsville Rotary Board in 2013. Dan served on the board of the Josey Scout Lodge, the Raven’s Hill Higher Education Board and the cemetery advisory board. He is a past board member and treasurer of the General Sam Houston Folk Festival, the local Y.M.C.A., the Walker County Industrial Development Corporation and treasurer of the American Red Cross. He served as treasurer of the Wynne Home. Dan co-chaired the dedication ceremonies of the General Sam Houston Statue on I-45. For over 20 years, he narrated the play “Gone To Texas” including performances at the Wortham Theatre in Houston and at The Alamo. Dan loved a spirited competition of mind and wit. Their Sunday night bridge club consisting of Dan and Elsie, Jane and Charles Monday, Diane and Bill Green, and Anne and Wayne Froelich was a long standing tradition filled with laughter, good food and a little competitive fun. These lifelong friends were frequent travel companions with a mutual interest in their love of history, among other subjects. Dan loved to read and had a sharp intellect along with a thirst for knowledge. He was often quoted saying “Never stop learning”, and to his credit, he never did. He was passionate about music, especially jazz and the blues, and owned an extensive music collection. Rare was the occasion that one entered his home, office or car where he did not have music playing. He loved watching football with his family, playing tennis and collecting foreign coins. Dan will always be remembered for his generosity, kindness and sense of humor. His love of his family, his friends and Huntsville was exceptional. He was an honorable man with strong values. When diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2010, Dan’s spirit and his faith in God were immeasurable. He approached cancer as with everything in his life – with a positive attitude. He was concerned how his diagnosis would affect his family, rather than himself. He never complained and always put forth a brave face to those around him, reminding us all of his courage. It is with heavy hearts that we must say goodbye. Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Sue Anna and Raymond Davis; and his sister Suzanne Gillespie. He is survived by his wife, Elsie and daughter, Jennifer. Dan is also survived by niece Shannah Adem and husband Martin Adem; nephew Dr. Ben Marcus Gillespie and wife Nisa; niece Angela Baker and husband, Henry Baker. Their children: Sarah Colavito and daughter Lilah, Clay Hale, Sam Hale, Aaron Gillespie, Asia Gillespie, Brad Bauer, Amber Kahil and her husband Dale, and Thomas Baker. Brother-In-Law Buddy Corcoran and wife Wanda; Brother-in-law Elmer Corcoran and wife Joyce; Brother-In-Law Wayne Corcoran and wife Patti. Their children; niece Michaela Corcoran Ginsel and husband Ricky Ginsel, Chelsea Ginsel Gunderson and husband Chip Gunderson; April Corcoran and son Dylan; Michael Rinehart and son Aiden; nephew Anthony Corcoran and wife Sonja Corcoran, and son Cody Corcoran; and nephew Russell Corcoran. He is also survived by numerous relatives and loving friends. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Dr. Gene Barrett, Elmer Corcoran, Dr. Bill Green, Bill Hodges, Col. John McManners, Dr. Charles Monday, The Rotary Club of Huntsville and The Rotary District Governors of 5910. Family will receive friends Wednesday, October 16th, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. A service celebrating Dan’s life will be on Thursday, October 17th at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Huntsville. All are invited to attend a reception in the Fellowship Hall at the church. A private family interment will be held at a later time. The family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Dan’s memory be directed to First United Methodist Church, 1016 Sam Houston Avenue, Huntsville, Texas 77320 or to the annual fund of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210-4486. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com

Dan Smith Davis

June 2, 1939 - October 17, 2013