Louis Erwin “Pinky” Davis passed away on Wednesday June 30, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. Pinky, as he was known was born in San Antonio, Texas on June 21, 1937, the second son of L.M. “Red” Davis and Lois Lindsey Davis.
He loved talking about the wonderful life he had as a kid growing up in Devine, Texas and the friends made having tricycle races and making farm produce deliveries to the neighborhood ladies with his brother Justin with their wagons. These friends remained throughout his life.
Band, baseball and football were the highlights of his high school career. He was recruited by the US Army to be in the army band right out of high school. During his time in the Army, he attended the Army Navy School of music in Washington D.C, and was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone with the band. After his army tour, he attended the University of Texas in Austin and played tuba with the Longhorn band. Great memories!
As his young family grew, Pinky began work as a sheet metal worker with Sheet Metal Local #67. After retirement, he was able to pursue his love of music and took great pride in performing with his tuba in facilities where he had performed his sheet metal trade.
Pinky was proud of the fact that he got to play softball as an adult with his dad. His sons would not be happy with him if he didn’t hit at least 1 home run per game. The love of baseball traveled down from his dad to him and to his sons and grand children. He was so very proud of their accomplishments. He loved getting to watch them in person and to follow their games on his phone when he couldn’t attend their games at the University of Houston, Texas A & M, Texas A & M Kingsville, and Boston Red Sox.
Entertaining with his tuba was his game, He often said his tuba took him around the world, from Panama to many Texas polka fests, to Europe, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Mexico and back. His life was filled with “gigs” with Devine Community Band, Beethoven Concert Band and Dance Band, San Antonio Symphonic Band, Hermann Sons Band, County Line Community Band, Comal Community Band and Jubilee Polka Band. His tone on that tuba was warm full and true and could make you feel the meaning of the music.
Pinky’s mind was sharp until his last breath, quick witted and although at times opinionated, he loved people and could talk with anyone about anything. Among his many interests were building and flying model airplanes, hunting and fishing with friends and family and being an expert ammunition reloader.
Pinky is preceded in death by his parents, brother Justin R. Davis (Shirley). He is survived by his sister, Darlene Crain Gorhum (Bob), brother Jim Davis (Rita) and sons; Louis Erwin “Lou” Davis, John T. Davis, (Penny) and Eric N. Davis, grandchildren; Jeanie Cherry (Wayne), Joy Funke (Steven), John R. Davis (Nikki ), Joe Davis (fiancée McKenna), and Rose Davis; great-grandchildren, Bayleigh Davis, Beau Davis, Everett Cherry, Clara Funke, Abby Cherry, Easton Funke. God-great-grandchildren Jaxon and Ryder. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and the mother of his children, Marlene Sutherland.
Pinky will be missed by all his family, friends and his best band friend Kathy James and his K-9 sidekicks Taylor and Sugar.
Services are pending under the direction of Hurley Funeral Home, Devine.