Thomas Gilmer Davis

DAVIS, THOMAS GILMER (1921 ~ 2009). The following is an obituary for Thomas Gilmer Davis, former Justice on the Court of Criminal Appeals. The obituary was published in the May 27, 2009 edition of the Austin-American Statesman.

"Tom G. Davis, the youngest of three lawyer sons of pioneer West Texas physician, Dr. J.C. and Cora Davis, was born November 5, 1921 in Haskell County. He passed away in Austin on May, 26, 2009. Tom is predeceased by older brothers Foster of Crowell and J.C., Jr. of Austin.

After graduation from the University of Texas School of Law, Tom entered private practice in Vernon. Following a tenure as County Attorney of Wilbarger County, he won election to the 46th Judicial District Court in 1958, a bench he was to occupy until his appointment as a Commissioner to the Court of Criminal Appeals in 1971. On January 1, 1978, he became Judge on that Court as the result of the 1977 amendment to the Texas Constitution expanding the Court of Criminal Appeals to nine judges. After winning election to the Court in 1980, Judge Davis remained on the Court of Criminal Appeals until the conclusion of his term on December 31, 1986. A four-year tenure as an Assistant Attorney General followed retirement from the Court. Returning to the judiciary, Judge Davis was assigned by the Texas Supreme Court to the Austin Court of Appeals where he worked part-time as a justice for the remaining nine years of his career.

In nearly four decades as a judge, he decided numerous significant civil and criminal cases that helped shape Texas law and that remain the law of the State.

Professionally related positions included Chair of the Judicial Section of the State Bar; Dean of the Texas College of the Judiciary from its inception in 1974 through 1980; member of the Texas Judicial Council; faculty advisor at the National College of State Trial Judges; member of the Advisory Committee, Revision Judicial Title; and member of the Board of Directors, State Bar of Texas.

Judge Davis was a national vice-chairman of the American Red Cross fund drives in 1955 and 1966 and a member of its resolution committee at its national convention in Philadelphia in 1964.

Tom was devoted to his beloved wife, the former Jeannine Brown of Vernon, whom he married on September 15, 1951. Jeannine died on September 28, 2008. Tom is survived by his three children, Leslie Ann of Austin, Tom B. of Dallas, and Mark of New York. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Mary Anne, wife of Tom B., whom he and Jeannine loved and regarded as their own; and cherished grandchildren, Meredith and Will, who were his and Jeannine's special pride and joy. Tom took great pleasure in the fact that all members of his family, including his daughter-in-law, hold degrees from the University of Texas in Austin.

Tom Davis was known not only for his impressive career but also for the modesty, kindness, and honor that imbued his professional and personal life. He was a gentle man who loved music, traveling, the Longhorns, and everything involving his grandchildren. His devotion to his family and his loving, giving nature will always be remembered.

Tom and Jeannine Davis were members of All Saints Episcopal Church in Austin, where donations may be made in his memory.

Judge Davis will lie in state at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home's North Lamar location beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27th. Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 28th at All Saints Episcopal Church, 209 W. 27th St., followed by burial at the Texas State Cemetery."

Further information is available through the Texas State Cemetery research department.