Richard Paul Davis, 69, of Tavares, FL passed away on July 24, 2024 at AdventHealth Waterman Hospital surrounded by his wife and children. Rick was born on October 19, 1954 at Waterman Hospital in Eustis, Florida. A lifelong resident of Tavares, Rick attended Tavares public schools, graduating from Tavares High School in 1972 and studying at Lake Sumter Community College. He was a master mechanic and owner of Davis Standard Service until his retirement in 2015.

When away from working on vehicles, Rick spent much of his spare time volunteering at local community theatres working backstage and sometimes even appearing in the occasional role onstage. The theatre was home away from home for Rick and his wife and their kids grew up backstage. Rick was also devoted to the adoption and rescue of retired racing greyhounds and together with his wife they fostered and adopted quite a few. Any who might wish to donate in his memory may do so through Grateful Greyhounds, P.O. Box 1300, Huntington NY 11743.

Rick is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Michele "Shellie" Davis of Tavares; daughter, Briana (Kevin) Scoby of Grand Rapids, MI; sons, Patrick Davis of Tavares, and Benjamin (Karie) Davis of Grand Island; sisters, Cheryl (Fred) Hauser of Leesburg, and Cathy (Steve) Sales of Woodbine, GA; brother, Sidney Davis of Eustis; sister-in-law, Terri Davis of Umatilla; three grandsons; three nieces, two nephews and six grand-nieces. Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Richard O. Davis and Wanda A. (Uhinck) Davis; his brothers, Patrick O. Davis and Michael Timothy Davis; and his brother-in-law, Fred Hauser.

A celebration of Rick's life will be held at Hickory Point Recreation Park Pavilion in Tavares on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at 2:00 pm.