Thomas Davis

Thomas Melvin Davis passed away in his home on June 28, 2013. Known as Tom to his friends and family, he was born July 18, 1945 to Rhoy and Marguirite Davis in Lake Charles, LA.

He was a much beloved only child to older parents but many close aunts, uncles and cousins. As one Aunt observed, he always had on the cleanest, freshly ironed outfits.

He graduated from Rice University with a Bachelor of Computer Science. He also attended University of Texas in Austin and Purdue University receiving a Masters of Computer Science. He loved the complexity of computers at a time when they were the size of a small house and worked with them until he retired. He spent his working career with and teaching about computers.

He was an attentive and caring father to his three children whom he raised with humor, intelligence, compassion and endless patience. His children in order of birth are; Dietrich C. Davis of Houston, Genevieve C. Brooks of Cedar Park, and Dawn H. Davis of Austin. He was married twice, first to Patti Davis (the mother of his children) and later to Christine Eubank.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents. He is survived by all of his children, and two grandchildren, Chloe and Chase Gillmar. He is also survived by his beloved cat Taylor, who lived with him until the very end.

He always enjoyed working for the good of the whole cosmos and beyond. Whether in Community Theater, in the volunteer fire department, teaching, or in film, he was always challenging the status quo and working for kindness and equality for all.

He was always true to what he believed. He was clear on his stance about the environment, human rights, and religious freedom, among other things.

He ran for State Senate for the Libertarian Party for District 14. He also ran for State Representative in recent years, for the Green Party. He was a High Priest of his Wiccan clan, and was very much respected in that community as such.

In retirement he worked tirelessly for the American Red Cross. In his role as Training Coordinator he scheduled and facilitated all the disaster training classes for our 48 county regions in Central Texas.

In his role as Public Information Officer he responded at all times of day and night to disasters. He also helped out in major disasters like the explosion in West, Texas and the Bastrop Fires.

His job was to be sure that clients, donors, the media and the public knew what Red Cross services were being provided and how the community could help. Tom also used his wonderful writing talents to create blogs and editorials to tell the Red Cross story. His own experience with the Red Cross was one that reached thousands, and we will never know the extent to which he helped others' through this service.
Tom also was the "soup peddler" in his area, helping many through his selfless acts of kindness, making and delivering soup to many families who might not have been able to afford a delivery service, or who were in seclusion or otherwise unable to provide for themselves.

Upon his death, food from his home was delivered throughout the South Texas area, to those in immediate need, and to food pantries.

He made friends everywhere he went. With his very dry/intellectual sense of humor, which sometimes, was way over our heads, but was quickly explained, and much was learned by his silly antics from his children and grandchildren alike. This is a quality we will dearly miss, and continue to try to utilize and implement into our daily lives, in order to bring some of him back.

His sincere sense of kindness will be sorely missed, but will continue to live on through his children and grandchildren.

His life had such purpose, and he will be missed by a multitude of family and friends.

Services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Sunday, July 21, 2013 @ 1pm. It is located at 4001 Speedway, Austin, TX.

In lieu of any flowers, we would ask that donations be given in his name to the American Red Cross Central Texas Region; you can do this by contacting them at:
2218 Pershing Drive
Austin, TX 78723
512-929-1251

You may also view his Obituary at www.statesman.com