Rees Davis

Rees Davis, 71, of Mansfield died Tuesday, February 8, 2000, of complications following cancer surgery at The Ohio State University Hospital. Mr. Davis was born May 26, 1928 in Cleveland to the late Attorney Rees and Marjorie Talamo Davis.   He grew up in the Cleveland area before attending Kenyon and Oberlin Colleges, and being graduated by Cleveland College.  Mr. Davis received his law degree from Western Reserve Law School.  Upon graduation, Mr. Davis joined his father at the Law Firm of Davis and Young.  In 1969, Mr. Davis moved to Mansfield to join his cousin, Robert Ross, in forming the firm of Ross and Davis.  Mr. Davis was a champion of civil liberties.  He was both generous and kind in his representation of Richland County area clients.  A highlight to his legal career was his work on the litigation team representing the families of students killed or injured in the Kent State Riots of 1970. He was a current or former board member of:  Crossroads Center for Change, The North Central Ohio AIDS Foundation, The Store, and Discovery School. He was one of several founders and supporters of Richland County Legal Aid and was a member of the First Congregational Church.  He was an active participant in Alcoholics Anonymous.  Mr. Davis was a caring husband who derived tremendous pride from the accomplishments of his family.   Friends will remember him for his idealism, rye wit, and his love of music. He is survived by his wife Suzanne Cummins Davis of Mansfield; children, Debbie Davis Jackson, and husband Michael, of Ann Arbor, MI; John Davis, and wife Katie, of Athens and Katy Davis of Mansfield OH; stepchildren, Libby Black of Boulder, CO; Andy Black of San Francisco, CA; son-in-law, David Stoneman of Kent, OH; daughter-in-law Gari Kloss of San Francisco, CA; former wife Anne Seiberling Davis of Shaker Heights, OH; sisters Ruth Davis Greene of New York City and Ann Davis Reed of Moscow, Idaho; grandsons Mark Macek of Orlando, FL; and Paul Stoneman, and wife Eileen, of Kent, OH; and 3 great-grand children.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Davis was preceded in death by daughter Linda Davis Stoneman; son Bill Davis; stepson Tom Black; and grandson David Macek. A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church, Saturday at 11:00 a.m.  The Reverend Clifford Schutjer will officiate.  Calling hours will be observed in the church parlor prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the North Central Ohio AIDS Foundation, the Store, or the Women's Fund at the Richland County Foundation.