Estel Butch Davis

Butch Davis lived, worked and raised his family in San Antonio. Early in life he learned a love for cars. Building cars and racing were his passion until he met, and on June 25, 1965 married, the love of his life, Carol (Zunker) Davis. Like a lot of young men of the time in San Antonio, he went to work for Kelly Air Force Base. Starting his career as an Electrician's Helper, he steadily rose through the ranks for 30 years by doing something that by today's standards would seem old fashioned – he worked hard at it. He was respected by his peers as well as his superiors and retired from a 30-year career at Kelly AFB as a highly effective and respected member of upper management.

He loved and cherished his wife for more than fifty years. He protected her and would never allow anyone to show her disrespect in any way, including his children. He raised his children to love God and family in that order. He took in family members that needed a place to stay on occasion. He opened his home to family and friends.

For more than fifty years he stood by his wife and raised three children. He gave selflessly of his time to not only provide for his family, but to also be a full-time dad. Family was his new passion and he made sure that he was always there for his wife and children. He spent his weekends taking the family camping, hunting, fishing, coaching little league, and watching football and car races. He liked to go on drives in the countryside, stopping along the way to read what seemed at the time like every historical marker between Corpus Christi and Fort Worth.

Always putting the needs of his wife and children first, it wasn't until his children were a bit older and into their own interests that he took up the second passion of his life – Golf. Self-taught on the municipal courses of San Antonio, he became an avid golfer and shared that passion with his brothers and friends.

After over thirty years of his career, he took early retirement in 1998 when his first grandchild was born. Within six months of that time, he was strapping his grandson's car seat into a golf cart and showing him off. This became the norm for all the grandchildren for the next decade.

He lived to see his daughters grow into ladies to be proud of, his son to become a father, his first grandson to grow into a young man of substance, his granddaughter to become a beautiful young lady, and to see his spirit and tenacity manifest themselves in his youngest grandson.

He grew up in a simpler time and watched his kids and grandchildren grow up in a more complicated one. He never bought anything that he couldn't make with his own two hands, he never threw away anything that could be used, he always said what he meant and meant what he said, and he always stood his ground.

He left this world for the next one Sunday, loving his family and with more concern for them than for himself. He will be dearly missed by both his family and his friends.

Along with his parents, he was also predeceased by his sister, Nelda Davis. Butch is survived by his wife of 51 years, Carol Davis; daughters, Shelli Andersen and Sharon Davis; his son, Eric Davis and his wife Amy; his beloved grandchildren: Kyle Davis, Emily Davis and Ethan Davis. Butch is also survived by his three brothers, Don Davis and his wife Joanne, Garrion Davis and his wife Hazel and Elbert Davis and his wife Rose; and his sister Maudean Davis.

The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, May 6, 2016, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

SERVICE

SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2016

11:00 a.m.

PORTER LORING NORTH

Interment will follow at Mission Burial Park North.