Thomas Patrick Davies

On Nov. 9, Thomas “Tom” Patrick Davies left this world for Heaven. His faith in God and trust in His word was the guidepost of his life and hope for the future.

Tom was born in Detroit, Michigan, on May 14, 1923, to a Welsh immigrant (Horace Andrew Davies), who became the treasurer for the Chrysler Corporation, and a PE teacher from Black River Falls, Wisconsin (Mary Louise Dunn). He grew up riding horses and playing golf, football and hockey. He played the drums and developed a deep and abiding love for jazz—often skipping school to travel to New York to watch all the greats, including Benny Goodman, Art Tatum, Duke Ellington and Tommy Dorsey. Even into his 90s, he followed new jazz artists saying, “This guy can swing!”

After enjoying an undefeated year on his high school football team, Tom attended the University of Virginia and joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity. World War II led him to three years in the Army Air Corps before finishing his college days at the University of Michigan. Following his father into the car business, Tom moved to Los Angeles and opened a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership when he was 25 years old.

A dear friend of Tom’s had met a spunky “airline hostess” from Clarksdale, Mississippi, and determined that “Pug” (Ethel Gray Wells) should meet Tom.

A blind date was arranged and soon the lifelong, loving partnership began. Tom and Pug settled down on the Westside of Los Angeles to raise three children and became ensconced in family life.

Tom served as president of the school board, president of the homeowner’s association and usher captain at church. With Pug by his side, he nailed up the Christmas lights, built booths for the school fairs, and wore out many a station wagon driving the family on road trips, ski vacations and college tours.

He was a talented amateur photographer, often saying he took so many photographs because he was keenly aware of the speed at which his children were growing and he wanted to “freeze time.”

As the auto industry changed, Tom entered into the field of commercial real estate.

Family friends often came to Tom for help making real estate investments. He was a wise and cautious advisor and always a paragon of integrity.

Retiring to Carmel, California, Pug and Tom enjoyed many years of golf, traveling, and volunteering with their church and local philanthropies. While his grown children often looked to him for help and advice, his grandchildren loved “Big Tom” as a kind and tender soul who would let them drive the golf cart and encourage them in their activities and aspirations.

Tom was a gentleman. Innately courteous, kind and deferential to others—he sat Pug at the table for each meal. He had an infectious charm and wit, was enthusiastic, optimistic, artistic, and funny. Additionally, he loved people—even keeping index cards in his pocket to note the names, details and concerns of those he met.

Tom is survived by his “Dearheart” Pug—wife of 64 years—his daughter, Kimberly Ann Davies; son, Patrick Alan Davies; daughter Mary Davies MacVicar; and son-in-law Donald Owens MacVicar. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kathleen Corley MacVicar and Thomas David MacVicar. He was also “Uncle Tommy” to his nephew Horace Andrew Davies II and niece Carsten (Tena) Davies. He will be missed by all who knew him.

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