Anthony Carl Davis

January 29, 2025

5,479 days ago, I married the greatest love of my entire life, Anthony Carl Davis. 5,401 days later, he would be taken from me and this life forever. It’s been 78 days since my daughter was tasked with breaking what would surely be the most soul-crushing news I would ever receive to me. I have had to delay drafting this Obituary because my heart could not process the finality of the words I would have to write. Today, as I honor our 15th Wedding Anniversary, I have opted to write a tribute to my husband that is worthy of him, and him alone. Those who knew him best will understand.

On November 12, 2024, my beloved husband departed this earth for his Heavenly Estate. His best friend and coworker, Isaac (Ike) Macias, laid praying hands on him until he breathed his last breath. It was of immense comfort to me when I learned that Ike was there and prayed Tony into Jesus’ loving arms. 

Anthony Carl Davis was born in Sikeston, Missouri on August 7, 1963 to parents Bob and Vivian Davis. He was preceded in death by both his mother and father, as well as three brothers. He is survived by his children; Carl Anthony Davis of California and Christalle Rochelle Barron of Oregon. He is also survived by numerous siblings including Richard Davis of Salem, Oregon, Dona Tilley of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Laura Smith of Columbia, Missouri, and William Davis of Poplar Bluff, Missouri to name a few. He is also survived by his five grandchildren; Caige, Piper, Harper, Dawson, and Briggs, all of whom brought immeasurable joy to his life.

Tony lived many places throughout his life yet would always say he grew up in Red Bluff, California. No matter how far he roamed though, “home” would always be the West Palm Beach area of Florida to him. He spent many years in the banking industry in that area, starting out as a Teller and moving his way up the ladder to Management thru hard work and an indescribable, irresistable charm that only Tony had! (IYKYK) Later, Tony would branch out into the specialized field of Title Insurance and would ultimately open and operate his own Title Insurance Company in Ft. Meyers, Florida. In 2008, having left Florida for Indiana, after a decade long search, Tony finally located me via Facebook and sent me a message. From the moment I received that message, Tony and I were never again separated. Although we had not been face-to-face in 24 years, Tony soon hopped a flight to come and visit me….then he hopped another flight to come and visit me again….then I hopped a flight and together we made the trek across the country to Keizer, Oregon. Shortly after his arrival in Oregon, we opened “TNT Bar-B-Que” on Silverton Road. No one could fire up Ribs or slow-smoke Pork to its “Pulled Perfection” quite like my Tony! From his super-secret dry “Bbq Rubs” to his impossibly, ridiculously HOT Ghost Pepper Sauces, he became very popular FAST.

Eventually the 20-hour shifts took their rage out on his knees, and “TNT Bar-B-Que” had to close. Tony was the consummate dreamer, a gifted inventor, a builder, a collector of all things, and a salesman like no other. He would often laugh and tell me, “I never met a bad decision that I didn’t make!” He faced everything in his life through the lens of laughter. He had a quick wit, raucous laugh, and could take as well as he gave. Some of my most treasured memories are those of he and I laughing so hard tears ran down our cheeks. The mischievous glint in those pale blue eyes will never be far from my thoughts.

My husband was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt, fish, camp….and I loved joining him. He cherished the U.S. Constitution and his 2nd Amendment Rights! In fact, he loved that one so much, his Facebook will reveal that he utilized every speck of his 1st Amendment Rights making sure you knew it! He was a Democrat when he moved to Oregon, however he married a die-hard Constitutionalist. If ya’ can’t beat ‘em he would say…. Tony’s most prized possessions were his Guns and his Harley, in that order! He was a “man’s man” and everything he did was tough and strong. He was the most loyal human being I have ever met, and he rarely had a cross word for anyone. Even those who cheated him and/or ripped him off in business. He was just a genuinely good man! He worked hard, he played hard, and he loved with every fiber of his being. He was my protector, my very best friend, my confidante, and my hero. If you were amongst those he called “friend,” I am confident your life is just a little better because he was in it. He was always there to help anyone in need, yet never EVER asked for anything for himself. As our grandchildren grow, they will be taught to remember his values, that he ALWAYS kept his word, that he NEVER took advantage of anyone, he never picked a fight that could’ve been avoided, and he exuded grace in the face of true adversity and hardship. There is no greater compliment that I could give Tony than the absolute, complete and unfailing respect I had, and will always have for him. In the end, the friendships he made, and the “brotherhood” he shared with his road construction compadres were amongst the most valued friendships of his life. Thank you guys.

As I reflect upon mine and Tony’s life together, I feel incredibly blessed to have spent forty-five years completely in awe of that stunning high-school boy with the beautiful smile, deep dimples, and unforgettable voice. My heart belonged to Tony Davis from the time I was eleven years old, and I knew one day I would marry him. I would not trade one day, one hour, or one minute of the years that we shared. He loved me more fully, more unselfishly, more tenderly, than any love I have ever seen. I will never be able to count all the moments that he simply took my breath away. Even now, as tears fill my eyes from a love that no longer has a home, I would not trade one minute. But, I would give everything I own, just to have him back again. He left this earth my husband. I will leave this earth his wife.

Mrs. Danyel Rene’ Davis