Don Michael Daves

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Patricia McLean Daves and his parents.

Mike was born to Floyd and Johnnie (Dunn) Daves March 4, 1938, and grew up in Wichita Falls, Tx. He attended public school there and was a member of the Latin Club, tennis and debate teams in high school. He received degrees from Midwestern University, Southern Methodist University, and Southwestern College.

As a Freshman at Midwestern, he worked as a radio announcer for KWFT and then weekend weatherman at KFDX-TV. In 1960, he came to Dallas for seminary studies at Perkins School of Theology SMU; and worked parttime as newsman and announcer at the very popular good music radio station KVIL. In 1970, Dr Daves was on leave from church appointments, and he worked as a newsman at KRLD Radio, the CBS affiliate in Dallas. He covered many stories for CBS’s “Religion in the News” including a meeting of the National Council of Churches in Dallas.

An active member of the North Texas Conference, The United Methodist Church for 37 years, he served as pastor or associate pastor at the following churches: Holliday, Prairie Heights, Memorial, Preston Hollow, Duncanville, Cedar Hill, Walnut Hill and Van Alstyne.

Early in his ministry, he wrote many magazine articles and several books. A book of Communion Meditations, “Come with Faith,” was chosen as a Pulpit Digest Book of the Month. A children’s book, “Young Readers Book of Christian Symbols,” was selected as the most outstanding book by a Texas author in 1967 by the Texas Institute of Letters.

Memberships included Order of St. Luke, Disciplined Order of Christ, Emmaus Community, Dallas Hall Society of SMU, and Board of Trustees, Charleton Methodist Hospital, Board of Ordained Ministry, and Perkins School of Theology Intern program.

As a result of his published writing and other professional accomplishments, Dr. Daves was named to Who’s Who in America in 2000.

Mike loved traveling with his wife and children. He served a church in Deal, Kent, England, then toured London, Paris and Rome. In 1982, Mike was again in England and preached at the Wesley Memorial Methodist Church on the 298ᵗʰ anniversary of John Wesley’s birth. In 1983, with his wife, he travelled to Belgium and Holland. Then, they went to Germany and there saw the places Protestant reformer Martin Luther made famous.

In addition to travel, he enjoyed reading, walking, working out, tennis and racquetball.

Survivors include: son, Paul Lee Daves (Shannon), daughter, Donna Michelle Lima, three grandchildren, two great grandchildren and two nephews.