Harvey D. Davis

Harvey D. Davis, age 80, of Temple, returned to the arms of God on Friday, August 8, 2008 after a brief illness. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, August 12, at First United Methodist Church in Temple with Rev. Tom Robbins, Jr. and Rev. Larry Givens officiating. Burial will be private. Visitation will be 6:00 - 8:00 PM Monday at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home. Mr. Davis was born October 12, 1927 to Gaston and Dorothy (Richey) Davis on the family farm in Williamson County. He was a graduate of Blinn College and the University of Houston with Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Business Administration. He served in the U. S. Army Air Corps from 1947 to 1949. He taught at Blinn College from 1950 to 1953. After moving to Temple in 1953, he served at two different state agencies and eventually as Executive Director of the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the Texas Department of Water Resources. Harvey married Clarice Obermueller in 1949 and she preceded him in death in 1981. Later, he married Jo Blackburn who brightened his life for eleven years. He was our modern day John Wayne. To call Harvey a character might be an understatement. He was a philosopher, rancher, story teller and walking history book. He was fiercely independent and loved life as long as it was on his own terms. He was a man of strong Christian values and he dearly cherished his family and friends. Harvey was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church in Temple for over 50 years where he served on various committees. He was also preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Edgar Lee Davis. Survivors include his devoted wife, Jo N. Davis, two sisters, Delores Dooley of LaGrange and Carolyn Torn and husband Karl of Elgin, three sons, Rex Davis and wife, Donna of Waco, Charlie Davis and wife, Carol of Temple, Ray Davis and wife, Phyllis of Temple, and one daughter, Pam Hacker and husband, Jim of Manakin-Sabot, Virginia. Also surviving are two stepchildren, Sara Vanicek and husband, Ronnie of Ballinger, Laurie Wolf and husband, Bart of Midland and thirteen grandchildren. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of Scott & White Hospital and Continuing Care Facility for the special care provided to Harvey. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Organ Fund, 102 N. 2nd Street, Temple, TX 76501 or to the charity of one's choice.