Edward Smith Davis

Edward Smith Davis, age 96, passed away on Monday, January 4, 2016 at the Greystone Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Cabot. Ed was born September 7, 1919, in Center, Texas to Jewel and Rosa Smith Davis. Ed was a resident of El Dorado, Ark. for 29 years, graduating from El Dorado High in 1937. After graduation he attended Meadow's Draughn Business College in Shreveport, La. and was employed by Root Petroleum Company in El Dorado. In 1940 Ed married his high school sweetheart, Martha Louise Culp. In 1942 he enlisted in the Army/Air Force and was later stationed in Casablanca in 1944. Ed purchased an Amoco distributionship and moved his family to Benton, Ark. in 1963 and later formed the Davis Oil Company in Benton and Hot Springs. During his years in El Dorado, Benton and Hot Springs, Ed was active in various community service organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary and Lions Clubs and was a Board Member of the First United Methodist Church in Benton. Ed served as President of the Arkansas Oil Marketers in 1982. He sold the Davis Oil Company in 1985, and he and Louise traveled extensively in the U. S. and overseas. Ed was an avid Arkansas Razorback fan and supporter. In 2007 Ed lost his wife of 67 years, Louise and moved into College Square independent living quarters in Conway, Ark. Ed was also predeceased by one grandchild, Michael Davis. Ed is survived by his two children, James Edward Davis and wife Terry Ann of El Dorado, and Diane Gunter and husband Joe of Austin, Ark.; grandchildren, Jamie Kochakian (Tim) of Shreveport, La., Lyle Davis (Emily) of Sherwood, Jennifer Campbell (Stephen) of Conway, Ark., Leslie Gunter-Jendeski (Nathan) of Fayetteville, Ark., Ashley Cooper (Seth) of Cabot, Ark.; 10 great-grandchildren, Whitney Gilley (Bobby), Courtney and Garrett Kochakian, Ashton and Gavin Davis, Lauren and Gunter Campbell, Aidan Jandeski, Lawson and Knox Cooper; ;and two great-great grandchildren, Peyton and Murphey Gilley. The family will be at the home of James Davis at 1103 West Seventh Street in El Dorado where friends and relative may wish to visit. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 7, 2016, in Young's Chapel with Rev. Paula Claire Hall officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery under the Direction of Young's Funeral Directors. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Arkansas Children's Hospital, 1 Children's Way, Little Rock, Ark. 72202. An online guest registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.