Gary L. Davis

On November 26, 2025, Gary L. Davis (69) left this world, which was never really his home, and returned to the Father where Christ had prepared a place for him. Gary was born in Peoria, Illinois but grew up in Clearwater. He was devoted to Mary, his wife of 48 years. Gary was the proud father of two fine men, Jeremey & Nathan. He was also blessed with two loving daughters-in-law, Mary & Kim, and ten grandchildren who were the joy of his life – Evan, Ezekiel, Ruth, Isaac, Dominic, Teresa, Lazarus, Sebastian, Agnes & Patrick. Gary is also survived by his sister, Gay Lynne, his brother, Glenn, and numerous cousins. 

Gary received his Baccalaureate Degree from Florida State University, where he met Mary. They were married in 1977, the day after his graduation. They moved to Gulfport, where he received his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law in 1979. The following year, Gary moved to New Port Richey and began his legal career serving as an Assistant State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Four years later, he began a 40 year private legal practice. Gary was loved by clients and fellow attorneys. He had a warm personality and an infectious laugh that immediately put people at ease. Gary was president of the West Pasco Bar Association from 2012-2013 and was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in 2015. Gary was a member of the Rotary Club of Seven Springs for 35 years and was their president from 2020-2021. He joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in 2015 and was proud to qualify as crew. 

Gary joined the Catholic Church in 1976 and considered his introduction to the Church to be the greatest gift given to him by his wife, second only to the birth of their sons. Gary was a parishioner at St. Thomas Aquinas for nineteen years. In 1987, he chartered a Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop there as a form of youth ministry. The following year, he was awarded the Bronze Pelican by the bishop for his service to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in Scouting. That Troop continues to operate today with Jeremey Davis as the current Scoutmaster. For the last twenty-five years, Gary was a parishioner at St. Ignatius, where he was an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, a member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Charismatic Prayer Group. 

There will be no visitation. Rather, all are invited to commend Gary’s soul to God’s merciful love at a Mass at St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church at 715 E. Orange St., Tarpon Springs at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, December 9. All are invited to arrive by 12:45 to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. A luncheon will follow the Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Masses be celebrated for the repose of Gary’s soul.