Thomas Rice Davis

Tom was born on October 28, 1946, in Los Alamos, New Mexico, the second of three sons to Darvin and Frances (Rice) Davis. Early in Tom’s childhood, his family lived in various places across the country as his father took assignments with the US Army and the Atomic Energy Commission. Eventually the Davises and their boys, older brother Gerald, Tom, and younger brother Jack, settled in the Kansas City, Missouri area.

In 1964, upon completing high school in the first graduating class of Raytown South HS (Raytown, MO), Tom attended the University of Missouri in Columbia. After four years of study, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering in 1968. His love for his alma mater endured throughout his life as a Missouri Tiger supporter and fan. Forever a true son.

While sharing rides with a mutual friend to work in downtown Kansas City, Tom met the love of his life, his best girl, his wife of 54 years, Winnie Wilson in 1964. The two were married in Raytown, Missouri, on June 7, 1968. The couple was blessed with two daughters, Jennifer and Shannan. After making early homes in Illinois and North Carolina, the family settled in Sedalia, Missouri, where Tom was an active member in the community as well as his church, Broadway Presbyterian.

Throughout his expansive career as an entrepreneur and developer in the commercial construction industry, Tom was also honored to fulfill numerous roles with organizations he deeply valued. He served as President and member of the Missouri State Board of Education for nearly twenty years. He fiercely believed in public education. As an advocate for those with disabilities, he served on the Thompson Foundation for Autism Board, championing the development of MU’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment. Additionally, he was a commissioner of The Local Investment Commission (LINC), an organization focused on supporting and strengthening the lives of children and families in Kansas City. Tom and Winnie have been active members of Second Presbyterian Church since moving to the Brookside neighborhood eight years ago.

A true renaissance man, Tom was a published poet and author, guitar player, photography buff, vintage car owner, and skilled woodworker. He treasured days on the golf course, sunrise walks on a Carolina beach, reading in his favorite chair, and evenings at the theatre. Never one to seek acknowledgement or recognition, he personified humility and wisdom. Guided by his deep and abiding faith, Tom loved and accepted all who were different from him and fervently sought to understand their perspectives. He was the best listener and mentor to all.

Tom’s greatest joy in life was being Papa to his four grandsons: Thomas, Mason, Finn and Joe. He was their biggest fan at sporting and music events, their real-life Santa Claus and their fiercest ally at every opportunity. The mutual love they shared will be everlasting.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and brother Gerald Davis.

Loving survivors include his wife, Winnie (Wilson) Davis of the home; daughter Jennifer Gray (Joel) of Lee’s Summit, MO; daughter Shannan Mulcahey (Jimmy) of Kansas City, MO; four grandsons - Thomas and Mason Gray, Finnian and Joseph Mulcahey; brother Jack Davis (Bernice) of Pearisburg, VA; AFS brother Dr. Masashi Takada (Chieko) of Fukaya, Saitama, Japan; sister-in-law Ann Wilson Fisher (Robin) of Lee’s Summit, MO; Tom’s two precious labradoodle pups- Eva and Quincy; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and dear friends.

Tom’s life will be celebrated on November 12, 2022 with 1pm visitation and 2pm service at Second Presbyterian Church, 318 East 55th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 64113.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Wayside Waifs, 3901 Martha Truman Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64137, the Thompson Foundation for Autism; https://thompsonfoundation.org/donate-online/, or a charity of your choice.

“Be kind and be generous, lace them together with laughter.” - td