Donald Ruble Davis was born on February 21, 1932 in Denver, Colorado. He attended Denver schools and worked summers in his father’s auto body shop. His family frequently spent time in the Rocky Mountains, where he developed a love for nature. He attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, where he earned a BA in History in 1954, and he met his future wife, Julie Weaver.
Don and Julie were married in May of 1955, and moved to Pasadena, CA where Don graduated from Fuller Seminary in 1957. They ministered together in Los Angeles and Mexico City. They returned to the United States in 1965, where they served in urban ministry in Chicago (Living Peace Baptist Church), and Denver (Neighborhood Church of the Master). He earned a Masters of Theology in 1975 and a Doctorate of Ministry in 1982. Their final pastorate was Fairview Heights Baptist Church in Inglewood, CA, where they fulfilled a long-time desire to see a church in a changing community continue to minister, with Spanish and English speaking congregations.
After retirement in 1999, Don and Julie moved to Temple City, CA, where Don taught the King’s Couriers Sunday School class at Lake Avenue Church, and led a men’s Bible Study in Hollywood. He also returned to his love of nature and oil painting.
Don was a sympathetic and thoughtful listener. He always had a word of support, whether a verse, a poem, or a song. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to take risks and trust God. He often said, “Faith is the continuing response to God’s work in our lives.”
Don passed into his heavenly home on April 4, 2024. He was predeceased by his wife Julie. He is remembered by his children, Robin (Alex), Cindy (Paul), and Jennifer; his grandchildren, Nathan, Jessica (Sean), Anna, Mary (Miguel), and Jonathan; and two great-grandchildren, Nathan and Kiera. He will be missed by his family and friends, though his kindness, compassion, and love will remain in our hearts and minds.
“Wait on the LORD. Be of good courage and he will strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 KJV