Donald Davis, Sr.

Donald “Don” W. Davis, Sr. was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma to Robert E. Davis, Sr. and Irma Jean Davis. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at a young age, and was baptized at the Mount Olive Baptist Church by his grandfather, Pastor P.T. Davis. During his lifetime, he was a long term member of Faith Memorial Baptist Church, and also Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Don graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and served in the United States Airforce receiving an honorable discharge in 1959. He then earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Colorado, and Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Wyoming School of Law. He married Marjorie Davis in 1958. To this union five children were born.
Don practiced criminal and civil law in Oklahoma for 41 years and was the first African American appointed to serve as a municipal special judge in the Oklahoma City Municipal Court. He also had the distinction of being considered for a vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. He was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States District Courts for the Western, Eastern and Northern Districts of Oklahoma. Don received the 2011 Oklahoma Bar Association “Trailblazer Award” which recognized the various contributions he made to the legal community. In 2019, he celebrated 50 years as a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association.
During the Civil Rights Movement, he represented the Ministers Alliance Organization, and impacted the community with the largest verdict for damages regarding a race discrimination claim. His vast impact also extended beyond Oklahoma in the 1970’s when he was the lead defense counsel in one of Utah’s most infamous criminal trials. After his retirement, he referred cases to established colleagues and young aspiring local attorneys. Recently, Don obtained two significant judgments in Texas as a pro hac vice attorney for the petitioners.
Throughout his life, Don has been a leader in pro bono bar association cases to help the disadvantaged, and was a founding member and former chairman of the J.J. Bruce Legal Society. Other notable accomplishments include his work as a charter member of the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association, National President of OMIK Amateur Radio Operators, Board Member of the Urban League, State Director for the Boy Scouts of America, NAACP member, and recipient of the Oklahoma Human Rights Award. Additionally, he is a 32nd Degree Mason and former Sunday School Teacher.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son Tracy B. Davis; and four siblings, Robert “Bob” E. Davis, Jr., James Davis, Vivian Powell, and V. Maxine Carter.
To cherish his memory, he leaves three sons, Lawrence A. Davis, D. Wayne Davis, Jr. (Michelle), Robert M. Davis, Sr. (Vanessa), and daughter Donna Marjean Davis-Reddix; sister, Patricia Davis-Scott (Ken), and brother, Gerald L. Davis (Joy); three grandsons, Robert M. Davis, Jr., Zachary Davis, and Daniel Davis; two granddaughters, Shandrease Nieves (Carlos), and Lashaunda Kiefer (Zach); two great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; special aunt Dessie Lindsay; and his dearest Marjorie Davis.
Visitation: Thursday, February 27, 3 – 7 pm
Celebration of Life: Friday, February 28 at 2 pm.
Earl M. Temple Chapel
Temple and Sons Funeral Home
2801 N. Kelly Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73111