Robert Gene Davis, prominent Houston Heights native and lifelong resident, passed away in his sleep on Monday, February 15, 2021. He was a remarkable man of many talents who had an amazing life and always loved a good challenge.
Robert was born to Clara Louise Fox and Jeptha Boone Davis on December 3, 1935 in Houston, TX. He was the eldest of three children. He had one sister, Edith and one brother, Bryan. He attended Field Elementary, Hogg Junior High and graduated from Reagan High School in 1954. He went on to attend classes at the University of Houston and while there he met his lifelong friends, Bill Ransom, Manny Foltin, Teddy Fuchs and Johnny Liebham, together referred to as the Fab 5. They loved cars, racing and spending time at Prince’s drive in on Shepherd.
In 1958, Robert met the love of his life, Sherry Schauer, while stopping to get gas at her fathers, Fred Schauer’s, Gulf gas station. They soon married and bought their first house in the Heights where they raised their three children: Kevin, Karry and Twyla.
Robert was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who took his family on many fun recreational trips. He loved the water and boating, was a great water skier, and taught his kids how to water ski. He enjoyed going to Galveston and family campouts on the beach. Always budget minded, he took his family on many road trips to Colorado in their infamous motor home. In the 1970’s he and Sherry purchased property on Lake Conroe and built a lake house. Many memories were made there over the next 40 years.
As a young boy, Robert had been instilled with a strong work ethic. His first job was a paper delivery boy for the Houston Chronicle. In his adult life he founded Davis Paint and Hardware which became one of the first Handy Hardware stores in the Houston area. When Robert’s mother-in-law, Hazel Schauer who was an artist and taught painting, suggested that the Hardware Store should sell art supplies to her students it sparked a need for frames for their art. Soon the Hardware Store became Davis Paint and Hardware and Picture Framing. As the invasion of Handy Dan Hardware Stores began to grow, Robert knew his mom-and-pop hardware store may not survive, so the picture framing concept began, and Davis Hardware and Picture Framing became a household name. Dressed in his trademark pocket t-shirt, flannel shirt and suspenders, he would always say, “Anyone can go anywhere and buy anything but you can’t buy customer service.” Eventually, Robert and Sherry sold the store to their daughter, Karry and her husband, in order to carry on the legacy of 65 years. Robert never really retired. He continued to work each day alongside of Karry, Tony, Amy, Francisco and his grandsons, Michael and Robert until the day of his passing.
Robert made many friends through his business over the years. He never met a stranger. He would talk to everyone who walked into the store. He met people from all different walks of life. Robert’s personal philosophy of “work hard and save money” paid off when, he and Sherry were able to purchase many properties in the Heights area and at one time owned 33 rentals.
What Robert loved most was God, family, friends, making money, and his customers. Robert’s second love was his cell phone. He was like listening to a teenager. He loved to call and check in on everyone each day, especially his grand and great grandchildren. He made sure he knew exactly what was happening in each of their lives. He ended each call with an, “I love you.”
Robert was always a friend to everyone. He was truly one of a kind.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Jeptha and Clara Louise Davis and his daughter Twyla Starr Davis.
Robert is survived by his loving wife Sherry Schauer Davis, his son, Kevin Karl Davis and his wife, Helena grandchildren: Kristopher K. Davis and Andrew J. Davis and his wife, Corina; Stephen Dildy; his daughter, Karry Kay Davis Mader and her husband, Anthony J. Mader, grandchildren: Michael B. Mader and his wife Michelle and great-grandchildren: Madyson and Macy Mader; Robert A. Mader and his wife Anna Taylor and great-grandchildren: Andrew and Emily Taylor; Jennifer Ann Mader Pisio and her husband Adam J. Pisio and great-grandchildren: Joshua, Zoe and Samuel Pisio. Son in law, Wayne L. Crane, husband of Twyla Starr Davis; his sister Edith O’Guynn and brother, Bryan Davis and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Private gravesides services will be held on Friday, February 19, 2021.
A celebration of life will be Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 1pm at Heights Fire Station located at 107 W.12th St Houston, TX 77008. Masks will be required.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Trinity Lutheran Church Homeless Program located at 800 Houston Ave. Houston, TX 77007 or the National Marfan’s Foundation at www.marfan.org
