Robert Earl Davis

Following a courageous battle with metastatic prostate cancer and congestive heart failure, Robert Earl Davis went home to be with his Lord and Savior on December 14, 2024, at the age of 91. Born on February 21, 1933, in Elliott, Texas, to Clarence and Norma Davis, Robert was the fifth of seven children. He cherished that he grew up in the country and had so many stories to tell about life on the farm.

Robert attended a one-room schoolhouse in Elliott during his elementary years and graduated from Franklin High School in 1949. After high school, he spent four years working on pipelines, as a dozer operator, a job he returned to during summers while teaching.

In 1953, Robert was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War, serving domestically for two years. He was so proud to be a Korean War Veteran. Stationed at Sandia Base near Albuquerque, it was the first time he had lived away from the Franklin area. During his service, he formed lifelong friendships and kept in touch with many of these men for years.

Robert attended Sam Houston State University from 1955 to 1959, where he met the love of his life, Joan Barrett. He loved to tell the story of how they met: one day he saw her struggling to parallel park her car and offered to help. Afterward, she introduced herself, and when she asked for his name, he replied “Bob Davis” even though he had only ever gone by “Robert Earl.” All of Joan’s friends and family called him Bob from then on. They married six months later, on March 14, 1958, and enjoyed 53 wonderful years together before Joan’s passing in 2011.

After graduating in 1959, Robert and Joan began their teaching careers in Houston, where their first daughter, Kay Lynn, was born. They later moved to Orange, Texas, teaching in Orange ISD for six years, during which time their second daughter, Joanna, was born.

In 1968, he moved his family back to Hearne to dedicate more time to ranching—as he often said, “country people always move back home.” He taught 9th grade science and coached 9th grade football in Hearne ISD from 1968 until 1975. Over the years, he briefly coached varsity track and tennis, leading the varsity track team to a state championship during the 1974–1975 season. He continued to proudly wear the championship ring for many years.

In 1975, he achieved his dream job, becoming the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach for Hearne ISD, a position he held for 17 years. He retired in 1992 after spending a total of 33 years teaching and coaching. He considered himself truly blessed to work alongside an incredible faculty during those years. He often expressed his amazement at the privilege of teaching and coaching what he described as “so many amazing and talented students.” Former students frequently reached out to thank him for the profound impact he had on their lives.

Robert was a generous and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, friend, teacher, and coach. He had the amazing gift of making people around him feel loved and special.

In retirement, he continued his passion for ranching, spending countless hours on the farm working with his cows. Every Friday around lunchtime, you could find him at the Calvert livestock sale, talking to his buddies about cattle and football. He knew everyone and everyone knew him. Retirement also allowed him to devote more time to his family, cherishing every moment spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A devoted member of First Baptist Church of Hearne, Robert loved attending services, enjoying the music, and conversing with fellow members.

Robert is survived by his two daughters and their families: Daughter Kay Lynn and husband Ray Fitzgerald of Keller, TX; grandson Raymond Fitzgerald and wife Christina, great-granddaughters Jade and Lizzy; grandson Robert Fitzgerald and wife Hannah, great-grandson Rowan; grandson Ryan Fitzgerald and wife Lauren; granddaughter Rebecca Myers and husband Winston, great-granddaughter Raelyn; daughter Joanna and husband Frank Coghlan of Conroe, TX; grandsons Evan and Brent Coghlan; granddaughter Valerie Beasley and husband Matt, great-grandsons Bryce, Graham, and Wyatt.

He is also survived by brother Carl Gene Davis; brother Billy Ray Davis and wife Sara; sister-in-law Jane Ann Durbin and husband Chuck; sister-in-law Mary Russell and husband Lee; sister-in-law Carole Barrett, and many loving nieces, nephews, and life-long friends.

If you'd like to make memorial contributions, please send memorial contributions to First Baptist Church, 105 West Davis Street, Hearne, Texas 77859.