Donald "Don" Cook Davis

Donald Cook Davis, age 94, of Palestine, Texas, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, the 24th day of November 2021.  Mr. Davis was born on the 7th day of March 1927, to parents Lennie Lee Davis and Ruth Cook Davis.

 Mr. Davis was raised in Palestine and attended Palestine schools throughout his education. Mr. Davis graduated from Palestine High School in 1944 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1949 from Baylor University.  Upon earning his bachelor’s degree, he went on to obtain his master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin University in 1953.

 After graduating high school, Mr. Davis served in the United States Army during World War II. He served from 1945 to 1946 in the European Theater, 640th Engineer Battalion, and U. S. Army Reserves from 1946 to 1949.  Upon being honorably discharged, Mr. Davis had achieved the Rank of Technical Sergeant 3rd Class.

 Mr. Davis was employed by Palestine I.S.D. for 37 years, as a teacher, principal and finally as Assistant Superintendent over Maintenance and Transportation.  After retiring in 1988, he became a real estate broker, associated with Combined Associates Real Estate, and owned and operated a ranch in Montalba, Texas from 1953-1975.  Mr. Davis taught Sunday school at First Baptist Church in Palestine for 25 years, serving on numerous church committees.  He was also a member of Palestine Rotary Club for more than 45 years.  Among his greatest achievements was his dedication to his faith, family and the hundreds of parents and students he mentored throughout his lifetime.

 He is preceded in death by his parents Lennie Davis (12/07/1936) and Ruth Davis (09/18/1998), older brother L.L. (Johnny) Davis (04/08/2011), sons Drew Davis and Dwyatt Davis, son-in-law Jerry Miller, and grandson Andy Ganster.

 Mr. Davis is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jean Davis; three daughters, Donna Ganster (Alan) of Houston, TX, Jamie Miller of Palestine, TX, and Leslie Henson (Tim) of Garland, TX; grandchildren, Allison Faterkowski (Jason), Lindsay Smith, Lance Miller (Katie), Granville Davis, Connor Henson; three great-grandchildren, Robert Smith, Landon Faterkowski, and Emerson Faterkowski.  Mr. Davis also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, and a lifetime of friends.

 A funeral service to celebrate the life of Mr. Davis is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon, on Sunday the 28th day of November 2021 in the Rhone Memorial Chapel.  Interment will follow in Palestine City Cemetery.

 Friends are invited to visit with the family, beginning one hour prior to the start of service, at Rhone Funeral Home.

 Funeral services for Donald Cook Davis are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.  

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