Dr. Donald ("Don") James Davis died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, February 18th, in Orlando, FL. Don was born on August 23, 1922 to school teachers, Cora Mae Allen and William Pitt Davis in Ronkonkoma, New York. He was the brother to four siblings: Bill, Bob, Dot and Jean. Don attended undergraduate studies at Harvard University as well as served in the US Army during WWII and later attended medical school at Boston University where he was instilled with a passion for helping people. When he was a freshman at Harvard, he met his “Bride” and the love of his life, Dorothy (Dot) Cox, on a blind date in 1940 and they later married on July 2, 1949. Against all advice, Don and Dot uprooted their family from civilization in Boston, MA and moved to a little “hole in the wall town” full of orange groves and lakes called Orlando, FL in 1956 so Don could go where he was most needed. Orlando was where they would put down roots. Don was a general cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon and he became a junior member of the Chappell-Butt Medical Group in 1956. When Drs. Chappell and Butt retired a few years later, Don Davis formed not only a surgical partnership but also close friendships with Don Weeks, Bob Trumbo and later Sam Martin among others joined the group. Don operated mostly at the Orange Memorial, Holiday and Florida hospitals, and spent several years as Chief of Surgery and Chief of Surgical Residents at the Orange Memorial Hospital (Orange Regional Medical Center). He inspired residents and held a high standard. Don and his wife were both active members in the community and were supportive parents and grandparents. They taught their family the importance of selflessness, discipline, and independence, while also encouraging them to strive for accomplishment. Don and Dot were avid golfers and instilled the love of the game in their children. Don was a gracious father, friend, and colleague always treating everyone with respect and always ready with an open ear. Their house was always open to their friends and family with consistent gatherings around the pool table and beer keg. Don’s family and many, many life-long friends are a testimony to his love for his fellow man. In his last few years, Don maintained a positive, can-do attitude, always claiming, “I’m not done yet” and “I’ve got stories to tell”. His resiliency and refusal to never give up were a beacon of hope for his family. His undying love for his children and grandchildren still runs strong and will be remembered forever. He leaves behind a family built strong on the key fundamental virtues he instilled. He is survived by his four children, Nancy, Don Jr. (Marcia), Bill, and Ken (Maria), his seven grandchildren, Jordan, Spencer, Sam, Taylor, Sydney, Haley, and Grant, and his adopted son, George Nahas. Although we are sad to say goodbye to our father, grandfather and friend, we look back on his 96 years smiling, knowing he is met by his Bride, Dot, with a stiff Manhattan and one last dance.
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