Gary Davis

Gary Cooper Davis, 81, of Austin passed away peacefully on August 31, 2012. He was surrounded by his family, which he loved dearly.

Gary was born in Austin on March 11, 1931 to Owen Craig Davis and Leola McCormick Davis. He was preceded in death by his parents, his adoring step-mother Marjorie Miller Davis, and his only brother Charles Owen Davis of Volente. Gary proudly served in the U.S. Marines from 1948 to 1952 as a jet engine mechanic and was assigned to the First Marine Air Wing in El Toro, California. He served in Pearl Harbor, Japan, and the Korean War, and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. Gary was a firefighter for the Austin Fire Department for 8 years before pursuing his dream of owning and operating his own company, Gary Davis Plumbing. He serviced Austin and surrounding areas for 46 years in residential and commercial plumbing. Highly respected by his employees and his clients, Gary mentored eight master plumbers during his career. He was proud to mentor his son, Keith, who was his right hand man for the last twenty years. After much coaching from his family, Gary retired in 2010 at the spry age of 79.

Gary is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Dotty Davis; his children and their spouses: Deborah T. and Kermit Schernik, Kim and Russell Powers; Dana and Kim Davis, and Keith Davis; as well as eight adoring grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Gary had a healthy zest for life and enjoyed fishing, hunting, westerns, and spending quality time with his family and friends. He will always be remembered for his joyful spirit and sparkling blue eyes.

A celebration of Gary's life will be held Saturday, September 8th, 2012 at 2:00 pm at St. Luke's on the Lake, 5600 RR 620 N., Austin, Texas 78732. Contributions in memory of Gary C. Davis may be made to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Ste. 100, Austin, Texas 78759, or to a charity of your choice.