John E. Davis

JOHN E. DAVIS Long time Waco civic leader John Edward Davis, 73, loving husband, father, and granddaddy, passed away suddenly February 14, 2003 shortly after giving the love of his life, Sue Dickson Davis, her valentine on Friday morning. A memorial service will be held Monday, February 17 at 1:00 pm at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church with the Rev. Tom Robbins officiating. John was born December 9, 1929 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was the son of the late Mr. & Mrs. John Paul Davis of Dallas. A 1952 graduate of Baylor University where he lettered three years in football, he married the former Sue Dickson of Waco, and served in the United States Air Force before beginning his professional managerial career with TU Electric in 1955. He served in various capacities with TU Electric for 38 years before retiring as Division Manager in Waco in 1992. As a community volunteer, his tireless enthusiasm benefited many Waco organizations including serving as president of the Waco Chamber of Commerce, Heart O’ Texas Fair, Baylor Stadium Corporation, Baylor-Waco Foundation, Baylor Letterman Association, Baylor Bear Club, Evangelia Board, and the Texas Association for Business. His board of director assignments included the Boy Scouts of America – Heart O’Texas Council, Waco Business League, Baylor Alumni Association, Hillcrest Hospital Advisory Board, and the TSTC Regent’s Circle. John served as both Campaign Chairman and President of the Board of Trustees of the United Way of Waco and as Chairman for the Goals for Waco Commission. In 1984, Davis was selected by the Texas Industrial Council as the Volunteer Industrial Developer of the Year for his contributions in attracting new industry for the Waco area. As an industry recruitment volunteer, John served as president of the Waco Industrial Foundation for 12 years, member of the WIF nominating committee, and currently as a director for the WIF. He was a member of the Waco Rotary club, served as a regent for Texas State Technical College, chairman of Keep Waco Beautiful, board member of the Brazos Higher Education Service Corporation, and reigned as king of the annual Cotton Palace Pageant in 1990. Since his retirement several years ago, John has been a volunteer for Meals on Wheels who always delivered meals with a smile and words of encouragement for the recipients of the warm meal. John and Sue were married in 1952 at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church where he served as a faithful member, lay leader, and on the board of ministries during their fifty one years of marriage. He was the proud father of two children, son Greg who lives in Temple with wife Cyndie and daughter Mrs. Susan Cleveland and her husband Curtis of Waco. Always bragging about his grandchildren, they were a significant part of his life – grandson John David Cleveland and granddaughters Courtney Davis, Carrie Davis, and Conly Davis. Family also includes brother-in-law William Preston Dickson of Dallas, niece Debra Sanders and her husband Grant, nephew Preston Dickson and wife Shelley, nephew Russell Dickson and wife Dana, and the wonderful children of his niece and nephews. There was rarely a Baylor home football game that John missed as an avid fan and it has been rumored that he bled “green” in his efforts to support the Bears. John always longed for the Bears to return to the Orange Bowl where he played in 1952. As an outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish, John leaves behind many wonderful memories with friends and family who enjoyed his company in any setting. Honorary pallbearers will be Melbourne Appell, Bill Bailey, Dr. Bond Browder, J.R. Closs, Herman Coleman, Lindley Elliott, Charles Gervig, Ted Getterman, Mark Gordon, Larry Hickman, M.M. Key, Reese Killion, Murray Watson and Hal Whitaker. Memorials may be made to Austin Avenue Methodist Church at 1300 Austin Ave, Waco, Texas 76701 or Meals on Wheels at 501 West Waco Drive, Waco, Texas 76701.