N. Neil Davis

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Tyler at 2:00 PM on Sunday the 15th of December, 2013, with Dr. Paul Powell officiating. Arrangements are with Stewart Family Funeral Home. A private interment will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery prior to the service. Newman Neil Davis passed away Sunday morning, the 8th of December, at his home in Kerrville after a lengthy illness. Neil had moved to Tyler as a child, having been born in Dallas. He graduated from Tyler High School, Tyler Junior College, and what was then known as North Texas State University, where he studied organ in the School of Music. He met Betty Jo Welch when she moved to Tyler in 1946 and they married on December 15, 1951. The next year he went to work for Humble Oil and Refining Company and became a Petroleum Landman. He retired from what had become Exxon in 1979 and became an Independent Landman until his full retirement in 20xx. Neil was a member of the East Texas Association of Petroleum Landmen and served a term as President of that organization. He had been a member of the Kiwanis Club and was an officer for the Woodbridge Homeowners' Association. Very active in the Tyler musical community, Neil served as organist for several churches, including Calvary Baptist Church and the First Christian Church. He was also organist for 17 years for the congregation of Temple Beth El. Finally he was organist for his much loved Radio Bible Class at the First Baptist Church of Tyler. He was on the board of the Community Concerts of Tyler and the board of the East Texas Symphony Association. Pallbearers will be Charlie Halstead, Paul Low, Ken Horne, Hansel Crank, Jimmy Hicks, and Rowland Saunders. Neil was preceded in death by his parents John W. and OC Davis, father and mother-in-law John D. and Helen V. Welch, and brother-in-law Donald R. Russell. He is survived by his wife Betty Welch Davis, son Hardy Davis, son and daughter-in-law Carter and Kathleen Davis, daughter and son-in-law Danna and Fred Champion, brother and sister-in-law John Kenneth and Henrietta Davis, brother William Hardy Davis, brother-in-law John E. Welch, sister-in-law Mary Lou Russell, grandson Travis Cameron, granddaughter Amanda Rose Cameron, granddaughter Elizabeth Davis, granddaughter Laura Jo Cameron, grandson Ian Champion, grandson Andrew Davis, granddaughter Stephanie Davis, other loved family members, and many dear friends. The family requests that any memorial gifts be made to the First Baptist Church of Tyler or Peterson Hospice in Kerrville.

N. Neil Davis

August 19, 1930 - December 8, 2013