Frederick Gerald Davis died peacefully in his sleep, just as he told us he would, on May 8, 2024. He was 91 years young. Fred, or "Papa" as he was known to all, was born January 4, 1933, to Edith and Frederick Davis in Port Byron, IL. Fred was a leader from the start.

Fred grew up in Illinois, and as the first-born son, took charge of his younger sisters. Active in Boy Scouts, basketball, track, football, and student congress he graduated from Moline Senior High School in 1951. He was appointed midshipman in the NROTC at The University of Illinois and was awarded a four-year scholarship at the college of business. He graduated with honors in 1955.

Fred met the love of his life, Laura Louise that summer. He was on his way to the Naval base in Norfolk, VA for a temporary assignment and offered to take his sister, Fern to visit her Chautauqua friend in West Chester, PA. Five days later, Fred and Laura saw Fern off at the train station. They continued their long-distance romance even when Fred was assigned to flight training in Pensacola, FL. Exhausted from months of hitchhiking on military planes over the weekends so he could visit her for 24 hours or less, he proposed. Fred and Laura were married September 2, 1956, at West Chester United Methodist Church.

The newlyweds first lived in Corpus Christi, TX and then settled in Palo Alto, CA during Fred's Navy years. Fred was trained on the AD Skyraider, a powerful single engine propeller bomber. His first assignment was aboard the USS Lexington aircraft carrier during the Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1958. Fred met their first-born son at four months because he was out to sea when Jim was born. He transferred into the reserves and worked for Ernst and Ernst accounting firm for two years and their daughter, Melora was born during that time. He was called back to active duty in 1962 during the Berlin Crisis, and their youngest, Malcolm was born then. Fred always teased Melora that she was the most expensive baby. One pilot hand signal that he taught his kids, grandkids and their friends is to "pull the chocks" when ready to leave. All in all, Fred had five years of active duty and sixteen in the reserves. He loved sharing his many stories from his adventures as a Navy pilot and has written two volumes of "Reminiscing with Papa" that he gave family members.

Fred earned his master's degree from San Jose State University and while teaching there decided he was meant to be a professor. He moved the family across country to start a PhD program at Michigan State University. They lived a two-bedroom apartment in married student housing at Spartan Village for four years. During that time, Fred and Laura went to Lagos, Nigeria for three months as group leaders of MSU students at the University of Nigeria. In 1968 Fred accepted his first full-time teaching job in Accounting at Ohio University. It wasn't long before their home became the gathering place for neighborhood families, scouts, church choirs and random college students. In 1977, Fred's career brought them to North Texas State University where he designed and taught some of the first "auditing with microcomputer" courses in the nation. He became an expert in EDP auditing and taught courses to students, accountants, and the American Institute of CPA's. During this time, he worked summers at several accounting firms and other universities in the field of computer auditing. This led them to their favorite place, Kailua HI.

In 1991, Fred became the Alexander & Baldwin Distinguished Professor of Business at Hawaii Pacific University. He taught there for many more years and retired in 1998. Tutu and Papa fully embraced Hawaiian life! He insisted on moving their sailboat from Lake Texoma to Kaneohe Bay and they spent many adventures sailing that boat with their friends and family. Papa taught his grandchildren to swim and sail and several of them can recite his "I'm the captain and I don't say please" safety talk by heart. Papa also walked the beach every morning and soon became known by the locals and tourists as the "mayor" of Kailua beach. He was active in the Kaneohe Yacht Club, Kailua Historical Society, and Harris United Methodist Church.

In 2012 Fred and Laura moved to The Tradition at Prestonwood in Dallas, TX to be near family when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. At the Tradition he started the "Airshow," a monthly veteran's group, a caregiver's group and enjoyed fieldtrips, choir, book club, water-exercise classes, philosophy club and especially loved dinners with his many friends. While there Fred discovered a penchant for collecting and writing family member's narratives.

Fred is proceeded in death by his sweetheart, Laura Louise. He is survived by their three children, Jim (Laura Elizabeth), Melora, Malcolm; his seven grandchildren, Patrick (Emilee), Allie, Harrison, Sarah (Kyler), McKenna (Jeremy), Evan and Conor; his sisters, Fern and Jean and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and accumulated family members.

We are honoring Fred's wishes to spread his and Laura's ashes in Kaneohe Bay, HI at an intimate family celebration. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate notes with Papa memories and/or a donation made in Fred's memory to the Kailua Historical Society or Harris United Methodist Church of Honolulu or to the charity of your choice.

Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.

Arrangements under the direction of:

Aria Cremation Service & Funeral Home

19310 Preston Road

Dallas, TX  75252