Larry William Davis

Larry was born on October 10, 1947, to Elsie Ray Davis and William K. Davis in Houston, Texas. He was the eldest of three children and grew up with a loving family that enjoyed hunting, fishing, and cooking. He attended Galena Park High School and was a member of the choir and football team.

He excelled at football and earned a full scholarship to play at Rice University, where he served as the tri-captain of the team, and as a receiver, earned the nickname, “Hands”! He was named to the ALL SWC Team in 1966, and in 1968 was named to the ALL SWC Team and Lineman of the Year. In 1969, with 103 receptions, he established the Rice all-time receiving record, a distinction he held for almost 40 years! In 1970, Larry was drafted to play football for the Buffalo Bills.

In the same year, Larry married his high school sweetheart, Gwen Ellen Sanders Davis. Together, Larry and Gwen had two children, Greg and Mark.

In 1974, Larry and Gwen opened a family-owned and operated business, “Larry Davis Western Wear”, in a small strip center on Westheimer. Through the years, they opened stores in Navasota, Kerrville, and on Post Oak Boulevard. The business thrived and they dressed Houstonians attending the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLS&R), country and western singers, hosts for television shows, and actors for movies. They had a booth at the 1992 Republican Convention in Houston and were a commercial exhibitor at the HLS&R for more than 35 years. All of Larry’s friends would stop by the booth at Houston Rodeo to share a beverage and have fun! He helped create “western chic” in Houston!

Larry loved being a father to his two boys, cherishing every moment spent together and nurturing their growth with unwavering dedication. The western wear stores were truly a family business, with his sons contributing their time and efforts, making the enterprise a shared family passion and legacy.

Larry supported youth in the community and was a lifetime member of the HLS&R and proudly served on the Parade Committee for more than 30 years. He purchased numerous steer, swine, and poultry champions at the HLS&R, all of which raised money for youth scholarships. Additionally, he was a proud member of the Vaqueros organization.

In 1999, Larry found love again with Deborah Hall, who brought her daughter, Wendy, into their loving blended family. Together, they shared 25 wonderful years creating a home filled with love and laughter.

Deborah and Larry shared a deep background in sports, attending numerous sporting events together and celebrating their shared enthusiasm for athletic achievements. Their mutual passion extended beyond the stadiums to include a love of horses and all things western. Their unique bond was beautifully exemplified when they got engaged during a romantic horse ride and picnic, a moment that perfectly captured their shared spirit and the joy they found in each other’s company.

Larry truly found his best role in life as a grandfather. He shared his love for hunting, fishing, and sports with his grandchildren. Larry was not just an outdoorsman but also an ardent supporter of their passions, attending every game, FFA show, or choir concert with pride and enthusiasm. Many weekends were joyously spent in Galveston, creating cherished family memories. Fiercely loyal and kind-hearted, Larry's boundless enthusiasm for being a grandparent was evident in every moment he spent with his beloved grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah, sisters Susie Austin and Jan Alexander, Uncle and Aunt Jim and Reggie Ann Davis and Aunt Sandra Davis, and three children and their spouses: Greg and Britt Davis, Wendy Hall and Clayton Platt, Mark and Jennifer Davis and grandchildren Kayla, Jasmyn, Madyson, Ashlyn, Phoebe, Mason, Will, Zeina, and Logan, great-grandchildren Ashton and Payton, and many nieces and nephews who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest, grateful for his immeasurable influence in their lives.

A memorial service to honor Larry’s life will be held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery at 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, Texas, 77079, on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 2 p.m. Following the memorial service, the family will host a reception at the funeral home to gather together and celebrate Larry’s life and the cherished memories they shared with him.

To honor Larry’s memory, family and friends are encouraged to wear western chic attire to the memorial service, with boots and hats encouraged as a heartfelt nod to his enduring love for western style and the family business.

In remembrance of Larry’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Rice University Athletics at https://riceconnect.rice.edu/giving or the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at rodeohouston.com/Donate/?code=MemorialFund.