Richard “Rick” Charles Davis, 72, died Thursday, April 18, 2019, at the Mississippi State Veteran’s Home in Oxford, Mississippi. The funeral service will be held Monday, April 22, 2019, at 2 p.m. at College Hill Presbyterian Church in Oxford with Rev. Justin McGuire officiating. Burial will follow in the College Hill cemetery. The visitation will be held prior to the service at the church from 12 p.m. until service time. Waller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Russell Theodore and Ethel Pauline Davis, Captain Davis served in the Corps of Engineers in the United States Army. He was a graduate of Thornwell High School at Thornwell Orphanage in Clinton, South Carolina. Rick earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics at The Citadel (the Military College of South Carolina) and Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi Law School in Oxford. He retired from his work as an Attorney and Public Defender of Oxford, Mississippi for 31 years. Mr. Davis was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Oxford for 43 years, the Jaycees of Oxford (where he was named Outstanding Young Man in 1977), and Salvation Army since 1975 (serving for 43 years and former Chairman of the Advisory Board). Rick was also a member of College Hill Presbyterian Church in Oxford where he served as Elder and Ruling Elder for 7 years. He was an avid runner who enjoyed concerts, traveling, and Christian music but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a two sisters, Gay Davis and Connie Dirette.

Rick is survived by his wife, Jan Davis of Oxford; daughters, Kathryn Salazar of Oxford, Haley Watkins of Austin, Texas,  and Abby Davis of Oxford; son, Patrick Davis of Las Vegas, Nevada; sisters, Beverly Smith of Estero, Florida, Catherine Walters of Kentucky, Rebecca “Beckie” Hudman of Plano, Texas; brothers, Danny Davis of Michigan and Ted Davis of Kentucky; adoptive sister, Donna Fisher of Oxford; six grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and he was a mentor to Jermaine Malone of Oxford.

Special thanks to the V.A. home where they enjoyed their time making memories, eating ice-cream, and reading the Bible.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Davis’ memory may be made to College Hill Presbyterian Church, 339 CR 102, Oxford, MS 38655. In honor of Mr. Davis’ service to his country, the flag of the United States Army will be flown at Waller Funeral Home. For further information or to leave an online condolence, please call 662.234.7971 or visit www.wallerfuneralhome.com.