Claud Albert Davis

Claud Albert Davis was born April 3, 1928 and departed this life on Friday, July 10, 2009. He was 81 years of age. He was preceded in death by his parents, Webster Edwin Davis & Lucy Viola Wells Barnes Davis; four brothers: Nelson, Earl, Jim Ed & Charles Davis: one sister, Inez Condra; and a son, Claud Nelson Davis. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Vilene Martin Davis of the home; two sons: Bob and wife Debbie of Pocola and Gary and wife Sharon of North Little Rock, Arkansas; a daughter Carol Ann Ford and husband Lance of Heavener; four grandchildren: Adam and Barrett Davis of North Little Rock and Julianne and Nicholas Ford of Heavener; two sisters: Wilma Coffman of Fresno, California, and Mary Florence Morgan of Shady Point; one brother, George A. Davis of Pocola; numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of beloved friends. Claud was born in Pocola and lived here all of his life. He served as a member of the first Town Council when the City of Pocola was incorporated in the early 1960’s. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Pocola, and served there as deacon, Sunday School Director, choir member and songleader for many years. Claud graduated from high school in 1948 and played baseball and basketball. He married his high school sweetheart, Vilene Martin, in 1949. They had four children, and he was very proud of his family. He worked extremely hard to make sure all of his children could get a college education, and they all became teachers. Claud loved people. He always had a smile and the ability to make friends easily. He was wonderful at telling jokes and stories. He had many friends, and he always made time to visit with them, often standing for hours in his driveway or pasture. Claud farmed and raised cattle most of his life. He especially enjoyed buying used farm equipment to repair then trade or sell. He was a good businessman, and he operated Davis Farm Equipment out of his home after work and on the weekends. Claud retired in 1983 from Motive Parts Warehouse, where he worked for 32 years as a parts manager. Claud enjoyed music, especially country and gospel. He had a beautiful tenor voice and sang solos at his church. He always sang from the heart, and he loved to hear other people that sang that way also. Most of all, Claud loved his family. He was a devoted son, brother, father, and Papa. Despite living with Alzheimer’s Disease in his final years, he was still able to bring joy to all of us. The Davis family is especially grateful for all the friends and relatives who have expressed their concern through cards, flowers, phone calls, visits, and prayers. They would also like to thank the staffs of Pocola Nursing Center and Advantage Home Health and Hospice for taking such good care of Claud in his last months. Pallbearers will be Eddie Coleman, Jim Davis, Kevin Hesslen, Jimmy Dean Pipkins, Phil Smith, Larry Sockey, & grandsons, Adam & Barrett Davis Services will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at First Baptist Church of Pocola.