Howard Edward 'Ed' Davis, 88, of WInter Park, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025 at his residence after a recent period of declining health.

Ed was active in the Central Florida business community beginning in the 1950s through a 57 year long career in banking that saw him work his way up from teller duties to bank president, regional president and senior executive lending roles at a number of institutions, including the First National Bank of Tavares, Flagship Bank, American Pioneer Savings and Loan, Southeast Bank, Southern Bank, Colonial Bank, and Old Florida National Bank. Ed was proud to have built trusted lending, business and personal relationships with men and women who developed many of the Orlando area's signature hotels, businesses and communities, and he took particular pride in mentoring two generations of past and present leaders in the industry.

Besides his banking work, Ed was active in his community, including serving on the board of the former Lucerne Hospital, as a member and donor to the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, and as a former Rotarian. In his retirement, Ed was active as an owner of two small businesses with close friends, including an RV storage facility in Summerfield and a self-service car wash in Kissimmee; those who knew Ed as a banker will not be surprised that he delighted in installing banking-grade bill counters and coin vacuum systems in the car wash's counting room.

Ed was born in Haines City, Florida, the grandchild of farmers and son of Edgar and Susie Davis. As a child, Ed was inspired by his mother's love and support of him in all his endeavors, and by his father's hard work doing whatever it took – agriculture, carpentry, general contracting, or running a community grocery – to support their family. He often talked about that experience in shaping his drive and work ethic. Ed graduated from Haines City High School and entered the banking field afterwards. He earned a certificate from the Graduate Banking School of the South in 1967.

Ed is survived by his sister, Joan Coarsey, of Tallahassee; his wife of thirty years, Sherry R. Davis, of Winter Park; his son, Kevin Davis and wife Darlene, of Charlotte, N.C.; a stepson, Dr. Brad Uricchio and wife Doreen, of San Diego; a stepdaughter, Robin Uricchio, husband Michael Reiss, and their children Michael O'Quinn and Read O'Quinn, all of Orlando; and a stepson, Scott Uricchio, wife Diana, and their children Sean Uricchio and Stephen Uricchio, all of Orlando.

A funeral service will be held at the chapel at First Presbyterian Church in Orlando on Monday, June 23, at 11am, with a reception to immediately follow in the church's King Parlor.  Arrangements are entrusted to Baldwin Brothers in Winter Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ed's memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church or its affiliated charity, the Heart of the City Foundation.