D. Paul Davies, 88, Gallipolis passed away peacefully at Holzer Medical Center after a brief illness on Thursday, May 22, 2008. He had been born August 13, 1919 to the late J. Lehr and Sara Davies.
Paul grew up in Gallipolis and attended Gallia Academy High School. He received his bachelors degree in business from Ohio University, where he met the love of his life, his wife, Virginia. He was also president of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity while at O.U.
After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland for officers training. As a lieutenant, he served on the staff Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz in the Pacific theater. Following discharge at the end of World War II, he returned to Gallipolis and founded Paul Davies Jewelers, which, having been purchased by son Dan in 1978, remains in business today.
Paul was active in the community that he loved. He was a founding member of the Gallipolis Kiwanis Club, as well as being active in the Gallia County Chamber of Commerce and the Gallipolis Retail Merchants Association. He was President of the former Gallipolis Savings and Loan and served on the Board of Directors for the Commercial & Savings Bank for 17 years, becoming Chairman of the Board in his later years. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Holzer Medical Center from 1976-1985, serving on numerous committees and chairing the Community Relations Committee from 1981-1985.
Paul was a lifetime member of Elks Lodge #107. He loved to watch and play golf and was a founding member of Cliffside Golf Course. Those who know him thought of him as a true gentleman. He was a devoted husband and father, dearly loved by his family.
In addition to his wife, Virginia, he is survived by two children: Dan (Jackie) Davies, Gallipolis, and Kathy Davies (Barry Scott), Gahanna; a sister, Ann Davies, Chicago, Illinois; and two grandchildren, Jamie and Morgan.
Services will be held at 2:00 P. M. on Sunday, May 25, at Waugh-Halley-Wood Funeral Home. Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 P.M. on Saturday, May 24. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made in Pauls memory to the Gallipolis City Park Beautification Fund, 518 Second Avenue Gallipolis, Ohio 45631.
An online guest registry is available at waugh-halley-wood.com
