Gerald Davis

Gerald Lee Davis, age 87, life long resident of Lubbock, Texas, passed away on July 15, 2015. Gerald was born to Leroy Judson Davis and Geraldine Williamson Davis on August 16, 1927 in Lubbock, Texas.

Gerald, also known as "Dingy" to his family and high school friends, graduated from Lubbock High School in 1946. He met his first wife Mary Louise Norris in the summer of 1948 at the Lubbock Mackenzie State Park swimming pool where he was the head lifeguard. He followed Mary Lou back to her hometown of Calgary, Alberta and they married on August 29, 1949. They were married 37 years and had six children. Mary Lou predeceased her husband on May 20, 1987. In 1988, Gerald met Marca Jones when she answered the telephone at the other end of a business call and they married five years later on July 17, 1993 in Dallas, Texas. Marca was his beloved wife until the time of his death.

After graduating from Lubbock High School in 1946, Gerald attended Texas Tech University in the spring of 1947 on an athletic scholarship where he participated in both football and track. In 1948 during college, he opened the first weight lifting and gymnastics health club in Lubbock. As a performing gymnast himself, he and his fellow performers kept audiences entertained with their acrobatic feats at various venues throughout West Texas.

Gerald's professional career as a financial planner focused on being a service-minded problem solver for over 50 years to West Texas clients. He was one of the first to open a full-service financial planning company, known as West Texas Financial Planning Service, which ran from 1960 until 1969. He then expanded it to become Planning Consulting, Inc., which he owned from 1969 until his retirement. Professional certifications and recognitions include: Charter Life Underwriter, CLU (1964), Certified Financial Planner, CFP (1979), and Charter Financial Consultant, CHFC (1984).

Gerald was best known for his dry West Texas sense of humor. He was a man of wisdom with keen insight into human nature. He could bring laughter to every situation and his constant positive nature was infectious to those around him.

Gerald is survived by his wife Marca; his children Barbara A. Johnson and husband Steve of Plano, Texas; Michael L. Davis and wife Patricia of Austin, Texas; Paul G. Davis of Austin, Texas; Stephen M. Davis and wife Mari of Lubbock, Texas; Diane M. Mirarchi and husband Mike of Plano, Texas; Sherri L. Davis of Bedford, Texas; his stepdaughter Elizabeth L. Jones of Fort Worth, Texas; his brother Jack ("Sassy") Davis of Austin, Texas; and his aunt Mary Dement of Plano, Texas as well as nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was proceeded in death by his brother, Robert "Red" E. Davis.

Also surviving Gerald are his grandchildren Jason Johnson and wife Trisha of San Antonio, Texas; Brandon Johnson and wife Katharine of Bozeman, Montana; Camille Grillo and husband Sean of San Antonio, Texas; Shane Johnson of Bozeman, Montana; Paige Jensen and husband Dane of Encinitas, California; Shannon Russell and husband Jay of Austin, Texas; Misa Bartlett of Austin, Texas; Stacey Williams of Lubbock, Texas; Mark Williams of Seal Beach, California; Amy Williams Cooper of Dallas, Texas; Erin Campbell and husband Craig of San Pedro, California; Zachary Davis of Lubbock, Texas; Jaclyn Willess and husband Landon of Lubbock, Texas; Caleb Davis of Lubbock, Texas; Michael C. Davis of Lubbock, Texas; Vanessa Mirarchi and fiancée Ross Lumpkin of Nashville, Tennessee; Lesley Willis and husband James of Plano, Texas; Matthew Mirarchi of Plano, Texas; Michelle Mirarchi of Plano, Texas; Mary Louise Davis of Bedford, Texas. Gerald's great grandchildren include Taylor Cavender of Irvine, California; Haleigh Johnson, Lauren Johnson and Kaitlin Johnson of San Antonio, Texas; Garrett Johnson,Dylon Johnson and Renee Johnson of Bozeman, Montana; Paige Grillo and Luke Grillo of San Antonio, Texas; Reagan Jensen and Taylor Jensen of Encinitas, California; Connor Williams of Irvine, California; Jake Cichy of Frisco, Texas; Bonnie Campbell, Hank Campbell, and Andy Campbell of San Pedro, California; Peyton Davis of Lubbock, Texas; and Emma Kate Willess of Lubbock, Texas. Gerald's one great-great grandchild, Avery Cavender, lives in Irvine, California. Pallbearers are Jason Johnson, Brandon Johnson, Shane Johnson, Misa Bartlett, Zachary Davis, Caleb Davis, Michael Davis, and Matthew Mirarchi. Honorary Pallbearers are Sean Grillo, Dane Jensen, Landon Willess, James Willis, and Jay Russell.

The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, Texas 75023 at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2015 with a viewing and visitation at 1:30 p.m. at the Church and a reception following the funeral.

Graveside services will be held Monday, July 27, 2015 in Lubbock, Texas at 10:30 a.m. at Resthaven Memorial Park (5740 W. 19th Street) with Dr. Herbert Bruce Puryear and Reverend Anne Puryear officiating.