Herbert Lamar Davis

Our beloved father Herbert Lamar Davis joined his beautiful bride Mary Anita Davis in Heaven on what would have been their 69th wedding anniversary. Mom spent two years patiently awaiting his arrival and now they are dancing together again and rejoicing in the arms of our Lord.

Lamar was born on the family farm in Pierce County, GA on September 6, 1930. He was the only child of Dwight and Lucy (Howard) Davis, and the apple of their eye. He was raised in Tampa, Florida and graduated from Hillsborough High School. He then attended Marion Military Institute and received both his undergraduate and Masters Degree in Education from The University of Florida. During the Korean War Lamar served in The United States Coast Guard, and eventually the Navy Reserve. He began his career in education as a fourth grade teacher and eventually met Anita in Tampa where they were married in 1956. Many of his 4th grade students attended the wedding. The newlyweds relocated to Orlando, FL where their daughters Leslie and Allison were born. Lamar eventually left the teaching field to be able to provide better for his growing family and joined John Hancock Life Insurance as a general agent. This career move took the family on a short move to Massachusetts which proved to be a little too much snow for the Floridians. From there the family moved to Dallas, TX in 1965 and eventually welcomed the birth of their son Glenn. Lamar led a thriving agency in Dallas where several Dallas Cowboy football players worked as insurance salesmen under his leadership. Our favorite was Jethro Pugh, a gentle giant in our eyes. During this time dad discovered Sonny Bryan's BBQ and an intense love for all things Texas! In 1970, John Hancock presented a wonderful opportunity to Lamar and the family packed up for a move to Hawaii. Lamar was named General Agent of the agency located in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Davis family moved into a high rise in Waikiki just off the beach with the famous Don Ho living a few floors above them! Eventually the family found a home across the island in beautiful Kailua where treasured memories were made. The move to Hawaii began a true love affair with the Hawaiian culture that mom and dad carried with them throughout their lives. In fact, both requested some of their ashes be scattered in Kailua on the beach near our home. Upon leaving the island in 1972 the family relocated back to Texas and built a house on acreage in Murphy just outside of Plano. The population at the time was 300 and the family formed life-long friendships that are still active to this day. Murphy was a blessing to all. Later in life Lamar and Anita followed their oldest daughter to Scottsdale, AZ and then to Austin, TX where they continued to thrive and make more friends along the way.

Lamar had a long list of achievements in his lifetime. He served as President of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity at the University of Florida and was a member of the Marching Band. He played the clarinet and later in life was active in the Plano Community Band. Dad had a strong appreciation for classical music and listened to many symphonies. His knowledge of Mozart, Beethoven and all things Shakespeare was astounding. He was a Southern Gentleman through and through, and a member of Sons of The Republic and a Mason. There just never seemed to be anything that dad did not have extensive knowledge of, a true Renaissance Man. He returned to his love of teaching in his late 60's after growing tired of the insurance business and continued substitute teaching into his 80's! He always wore a tie to class and had a wonderful influence on many young lives along the way. Lamar led Sunday School classes in both the Episcopal and Catholic churches. However the passion that exceeded all others was his love of college football, and in particular The University of Texas Longhorns. Lamar and Anita were season ticket holders for many years. Fun fact, they began attending Plano Senior High School football games even before they had children attending the school. Their love of football was strong and it seems so appropriate that their final days were spent in Austin where they appreciated the rolling hills, beautiful sunsets, bluebonnets, Texas BBQ and all things burnt orange!

Lamar leaves behind an amazing legacy and too many fun stories to count. His sense of humor and his positive outlook influenced so many in his lifetime. In his eyes his greatest achievements in life were his three children. He is survived by Leslie (Greg) Gillham, Allison (Kevin) Stein, and Glenn Davis along with his four grandchildren, Hallie Ungerson, Chase Davis, Trevor Davis and Maddie Davis. Lamar lived and breathed to talk about his kids and his grandkids, and all of their life's accomplishments. The world was a better place with Lamar and Anita in it, and no doubt Heaven just kicked up a notch. Thank you to the many people who loved our father and listened to his endless stories and his constant singing!

Burial will be on December 22, 2025 at The Dallas/Ft. Worth National Cemetery at 1:15 pm. The service will include military honors with a reception to follow. Both Lamar and Anita will be laid to rest together.