H. Ross Davis, born Harold Roscoe Davis, 93, of Austin, was a true Christian Gentleman, member of Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ for 68 years of which he served as elder for 35 years, well-known Austin businessman, co-founder of Danze & Davis Architects in 1960, and beloved artist and storyteller. Since he lost his father at an early age and the changing needs of the workforce during World War II, his mother and stepfather moved often for work, so Ross went to six different High Schools in Texas, Kansas, Oregon, and New Mexico, which taught him to be a “people person.” Ross never met a stranger; he had a great cadre of funny and “old school wisdom” stories and jokes that he loved to share. After High School, he attended Abilene Christian College, with his best friend, Glenn Tuttle of Ulysses, Kansas, not only was he voted “Freshman Favorite” but he was baptized into Christ and met the love of his life, Jo Ann Merriman of Happy, Texas. He subsequently graduated from West Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, where he was voted “Most Handsome”, and then he and his new bride moved to Austin in 1953 where he started at the University of Texas. After serving in the Army, he returned and graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from UT, and then practiced architecture for 45 years. He was also a Legion of Honor member of the Northeast Austin Kiwanis Club where he served in all capacities for 60 years. Ross was a great supporter of Brentwood Christian School where he was named “Grandparent of the Year” in 2002.
The Lord blessed Ross with many gifts- generosity, a great sense of humor, good business sense, love of people, humility, gardener, cartoonist, great listener, hunter, and the talent to design and paint; after retiring as a celebrated architect, he then became a fabulous landscape painter in his later years after dabbling in this medium as a younger man. He also had the uncanny talent of being able to meet a family member or friend where they were and speak to their needs with wisdom at that moment. Ross also loved spending time with family at his ranch in San Saba, Texas.
In regards to his wonderful talent in architecture, many people in Central Texas may be living in or worshiping in a house or Church that Ross designed during his professional career and not even know it. Most of all, he loved the Lord, his family, and his Church community. In his last years, his favorite thing to do each week was to attend Church to be with his community; he literally couldn’t wait until Sunday. He will be greatly missed by all his family and his many friends.
Ross was born June 30, 1930, in Los Angeles, California, to Frank Laurel Davis and Margaret Merriss Davis. He was the youngest of two children born to Frank and Margaret. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 55 years and mother of his children, Jo Ann Merriman Davis, his older sister Shirley Henderson of Fort Bragg, California, and younger half-brother, Jim Shockley of Gold Beach, Oregon. He is survived by his second wife, of 15 years, Leota Clendenen of Los Alamos, New Mexico; four children, Dee Ann Davis, Donovan Davis and wife Jeanette, Glenn Davis and wife Cynthia, all of Austin; and John Scott Davis and wife Paula of Granbury, Texas. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Jennifer, Benjamin, Harrison and his wife Chelsea, Haleigh and her husband Chris, Bryant and his wife Andrée, Tyler, Delaney, Presley, and Andrew; and great-grandchildren Evelyn Davis-Nabers and Baby Davis who is on the way.
After the passing of his wife Jo Ann in 2008, Ross was very blessed to find love again and he married Leota Clendenen, he was also blessed to add three additional children; Leonda Clendenen of New Mexico, Llon and his wife Lori Clendenen of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Leta and her husband Jon Langford of Edmond, Oklahoma; as well as six more grandchildren; Landon, Lawson, Lyndie, Blake, Cali, and Evan, to whom he was known as Papa Ross. Pop, “your quiver is full” Psalms 127: 3- 5.
Ross is also survived by his business partner of 50 years, Leo Danze. They were partners in business and were good friends through blessed times and tough times and they always believed in God first, then family, and then business and the Lord blessed them with a great lifelong friendship.
Visitation is on Monday, March 18, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home. Memorial Services will be on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 12pm noon, at Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ, 11908 North Lamar, Austin, Texas. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Brentwood Christian School.
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