Starr D.Davis, 49, of Atlanta, Ga.,
a Bartow native, died Sept. 27, 1994,
at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital
in Tampa.
Born on Sept. 24, 1945, in Bartow,
He had lived in Atlanta four years,
moving from Minneapolis, Minn. He
was a realtor, and a former clothing buyer
for Davidson Dept. Store in Atlanta, and
the Dayton-Hudson Dept. Stores of Detroit
and Minneapolis for more than 20 years.
A graduate of Florida State University, he
was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War
and a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal
Church of Atlanta.
Survivors include his parents, E. C. (Starr)
and Irene Davis of Bartow; two sisters,
Beverly Mullis of Fairfax Station, Va., and
Janice Steele of Lakeland; and several nieces
and nephews.
There are many who desire to be exalted, but I knew a man who humbled himself.
There are many who look to their own interest, but I knew a man who looked to the interest of others and considered others before himself.
There are many who strive to be great and seek to be first, but I knew a man who was willing to be least and believed that others should be first.
There are many who are caught up in self-love, but I knew a man who openly and unselfishly loved his family, and considered their feelings, and their pain, before his own.
There are many who cover their mistakes, but I knew a man who admitted his mistakes and learned from them.
There are many who want to receive much. I knew a man who gave much, though he would have never described himself as generous.
There are many who seek glory in making their good deeds known. I knew a man who modestly kept his good deeds a secret, but found glory in just doing good for others.
There are many who hate their enemies and seek revenge, but I knew a man who loved his enemies and forgave them.
There are many who seek peace by trying to negotiate written agreements. I knew a man who sought peace by uniting diverse opinions around a common cause.
There are many who try to change others to their way of thinking and their way of acting, but I knew a man who tried to change himself and who accepted others just as they are.
There are many who seek recognition, but I knew a man who sought to recognize others, though his talents and abilities were exceptional.
There are many who emphasize human power and human wisdom, but I knew a man who recognized His power and His wisdom.
And there are many who say some things are impossible, but I knew a man who said all things are possible and convinced others to believe the same.
This man was my lifelong friend, Starr Davis. For the joy and laughter he brought to me and those of us in the Class of ’63 who loved him, I will be forever grateful.
