Ralph Leonard "R.L." Davis

Ralph graduated from Livingston High School, where he was a baseball player and class president. He attended Shriner College before returning to Livingston to help his mother run his family's business when his father became ill.

In 1950, following a stint in the U.S. Army, Ralph moved to Tyler. He owned two dress stores that evolved into a women's apparel manufacturing business. The R.L. Davis Manufacturing Co. became a founding member of Dallas' World Trade Center. He sold the company in 1981.

Ralph then opened The Christmas Store and a gift store called R.L. Davis Fine Gifts. He sold the gift store in 2006, but the Christmas Store lives on today.

Ralph was devoted to many civic and charitable causes, including: Congregation Beth-El; Tyler Jewish Federation; Mother Frances Hospital; East Texas Symphony; Junior Achievement; and the Shriners organization. He served as president of the Texas Rose Festival and the Tyler Museum of Art.

In 1974, Ralph married Judith Sugerman Davis of Dallas. Judy and Ralph had a loving life together for 26 years, until she passed away in 2000.

In 2001, Ralph met Gloria Kusin Bishkin of Texarkana and Dallas. They were married in 2002 and were devoted companions until his death in April 2013.

Ralph is survived by: Gloria Bishkin Davis; Cathy, Will, Charlie and Gary Golden; Lori and Sara Stahl; and Bruce, Jim, Tracey and Jane Bishkin.

Ralph was extremely grateful to the following individuals for the tremendous support they provided over the years: Lilly Hawkins, Angie Bullington; Kevin Turner; and Leslie McCugh. Ralph was also very grateful to his caregivers in his final weeks: Earnest Gibson, Pam Dean, Schantella Dixon and LaTonya Johnson.

Ralph Davis' memorial service will be on Friday, April 5, 2013, at 3:30 p.m. at Lloyd James Funeral Home in Tyler. Pallbearers will be Tracy Lisner, Dennis Darryl, Mike Gross, David Edelman, Kevin Turner, George Fritz and Gary Golden. The burial will be immediately after in Rose Hill Cemetery.

For those wanting to make a donation in remembrance of Ralph Davis, please consider, in lieu of flowers, making a contribution to: Congregation Beth-El, The Hospice of East Texas Foundation; or Mother Frances Hospital.