Delbert "Del" Davis

Del Davis of Abilene, Texas and formerly of Sebastopol, California passed peacefully in his sleep on November 26, 2023, surrounded by family. 

Graveside service will be held at 1:00 on Wednesday, November 29 at Iberis Cemetery, Hardwick Rd, Abilene, TX. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX 79606.

Del was born May 11, 1936, in Sebastopol, California to Gilbert and Hazel Davis. His grandparents were Del and Sylvia Davis, one of the founders of Pacific Christian Academy in Graton, CA, which he attended and also sent his four children as Christian education was important to him. He had a quick wit and enjoyed laughing about the memory of meeting his wife at PCA and the first thing, upon meeting him, she asked for money as the Academy was having a fund raiser. He jokingly would laugh that she’s never stopped asking for money.  He was a generous man and loved a good laugh.

Del used his Forestry degree from Humboldt State University to raise Christmas trees in Sebastopol and also work as a surveyor in and around San Francisco and liked to point out when viewing the skyline, that he surveyed the Transamerica Pyramid Building.  He worked for the city of Santa Rosa, CA as an inspector for 20 years before retiring to Abilene, Texas after sending his four children to Abilene Christian University. He was an avid hunter/fisherman, cattle rancher and enjoyed the Christian community in Abilene. 

God had blessed him, as he often stated. Survivors include his loving wife of 62 years, Elaine and children Gary and Diane Davis of Sebastopol, CA, Sherry and Tim Kelley of Abilene, Lorry and Craig Thornton of Belton, TX, Larry Davis of Abilene, eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and sister Sylvann and Tom Nicholas of Reno, Nevada.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

2 Timothy 4:7