Philip Davis

Phil was born in Topeka, Kansas to Dr. Harry and Dorothy Davis. He served his country in WWII with the U.S. Navy in the bitter seas of the Aleutian Islands. When the war was over Phil returned to his beloved Topeka, kissed the Kansas earth and spent the majority of his life in the place where he felt most at home.

He married a Kansas girl by the name of Joan Anderson and together they brought forth three children, Bob, Kathy and Steve.

Over time Phil became an alcoholic and it severely interrupted his life for a long period of time. But on June 12, 1972, with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous, he set out on a new path and started over. One of his proudest accomplishments was to remain sober for more than 35 years. One of his greatest passions was to help others do the same.

In an act that underlined his victory over alcoholism Phil went back to college and earned a Bachelor of Education degree from Washburn University at age 54. Besides his work as an educator, Phil also worked in Real Estate and in the airline industry.

Phil was a keen sports enthusiast and was a great competitor on the golf course and the tennis court. He loved the feel of riding his bike and took every opportunity to do it until it was no longer possible.

For the last 20 years his life was graced with the presence of Peggy Livingston. They both suffered from health problems and were eventually separated because of them, but they remained close.

Phil was a quiet and gentle soul. His smile, even when he could no longer open his eyes, was a very sweet sight. His gentleness will be remembered.

In the closing chapter of his life Alzheimer's disease caused Phil to become mostly non verbal. But as his daughter, Kathy, sat with him in the art room of Manor Care, Phil clearly communicated his state of mind to the world around him. Kathy had drawn a sailboat and asked her dad to fill in the colors and he did the best he could. Then she asked him to name the sail boat. Phil Davis, with out hesitation, wrote "All's Well". That was Phil – we will miss him.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at the Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd. Memorial contributions can be made to Alcanon Club, 2100 Central Park, Topeka, Kansas 66611.