Clarence Hollis Davis

Clarence Hollis Davis was born August 5, 1923 in Mountain Home, Arkansas to Thomas Jefferson Davis and Emma Lou Hollis Davis. Clarence completed his journey here on earth in Texas City, Texas, November 21, 2013. Clarence was one of eight children, and he is survived by his sister, Mildred Davis Barnett. At a young age, Clarence and his family relocated to Kansas City, Missouri where he grew to be a man of integrity and curiosity.

In 1942, Clarence served in the Army Air Corps in World War II where he was stationed in England as a B-17 Norden bombsight technician. During his service, he earned the rank of staff sergeant. A passionate adventurer, this would become the first of many international trips Clarence would take over the course of his life.

Following his first marriage to Wanda Lee Shepard, Clarence reenlisted into what had become the U.S. Air Force where he was stationed in Panama and was instrumental in building the Sikorsky R-4 helicopter.

After his military service, Clarence and his young family would eventually settle in Los Angeles. He soon found his career home with Bechtel Corporation, where he would work until his retirement as an electrical engineer designing both nuclear and hydroelectric power plants. Clarence took great pride in his work and valued the important role engineering played in the advancement of society. As a father, he was actively engaged in raising his children, participating in scouting, family adventures and youth sports. And, he loved to chronicle their adventures with all the latest and greatest camera technologies of the time.

With his second wife, Phyllis Demunbrun, Clarence became a renaissance man who believed in making the most of every moment and opportunity life and God brought his way. Clarence lived a life he filled with hard work, caring for his family, exploration - both philosophical and geographical, dance, music, gardening and art. He was both a creator and collector of art, much of which he acquired on his world travels.

Following the death of Phyllis, Clarence continued to honor the life they lived by continuing his global journeys. When he was 83, he embarked on a one-man, 32-day adventure around the world where he saw many wondrous places, people and cultures.

Clarence was a man unafraid to face adventures and the unknown alone – he approached life with zeal and an unquenchable curiosity.

With his wife Wanda, he was father to Kenneth Ray Davis who is married to Linda Friend Davis, James Michael Davis and his wife Diane Braddock Davis, and Hollis (Holly) June Davis Anderson who is married to Jerome Anderson. With his wife Phyllis, he became father to Karen Demunbrun Goldsmith and Kurt Demunbrun. Over the course of his lifetime, he lived to raise his five children, 15 grandchildren and an ever growing number of great-grandchildren. The enormity of his loss is measured by the precious memories of his kindness, ingenuity, humor, insight and love.

The family is immensely thankful for the incredible outpouring of support and sympathy, and a special thanks goes out to the kind and generous team at Libbie’s Place in Galveston, Texas and all the caregivers who have been such an important part of his life these last few months, including the Hospice Care Team of Texas City.

A celebration of Clarence’s life will be held in the chapel Saturday, November 23 at 10 a.m. at Forest Park East Funeral Home in Webster, Texas, and a special graveside service with military honor guard will take place Saturday, December 7 at Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary in Whittier, California.