Thomas Parks Davis

He was the son of John Carlin Davis and Eileen Parks Davis of Mobile, Alabama. Mr. Davis was a devoted and active Catholic who practiced church teachings in his personal and work life. He attended McGill Institute and Spring Hill College and received an M.A. in Counseling from the University of Alabama.

After college, he returned to McGill-Toolen where he was a teacher, guidance counselor, and vice-principal over 14 years. Tommy was employed by The University of Alabama, as the Mobile Regional Director from 1978-80. He served in the Admissions department at UA from 1980 until his retirement in 2001 as Senior Associate Director of Admissions. He served on the Alabama Commission on Higher Education in several capacities, including Chairman.

His awards, recognitions, and memberships were numerous and included the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, Founding Chairperson of the Morris Mayer Premier Award, and the Walter R. Guyton Student Service Award. He served as faculty advisor for the Beta chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity from the mid-'80s until 2017, was inducted as a Brother, and later inducted into the Kappa Sigma Hall of Fame. An endowed scholarship for Mobile County students was established in his name in 2019.

He is survived by his sister Jane C. Davis (Donna M. Barnes) and two nieces, Lucy Carlin Barnes and Lia Claire Barnes. He was predeceased by Karl Peter Keller, Sr., whom he regarded and loved as his son, and is survived by Karl's children, Karl Peter Keller, Jr., Kevin Parker Keller, and Emily Elizabeth Keller. Mr. Davis is also survived by many dear and kind friends and gentle caregivers.

The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the healthcare workers who stayed by Tommy's side, especially Thanual Crawford. We are very thankful for the consistent care and companionship given to Tommy by Alex Smith during this difficult time.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 28 at Pinecrest Cemetery in Mobile, Alabama, celebrated by Monsignor Warren Wall. A funeral procession will leave Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin Street, at 10:30 a.m. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Brothers of the Sacred Heart Foundation 4600 Elysian Fields Avenue New Orleans, LA 70122, the Saint Francis University Parish Student Center Fund 811 5th Avenue Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, or the Thomas Parks Davis Scholarship University of Alabama National Alumni Association Box 861928 Tuscaloosa, AL 35486.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com for the Davis family.