Thomas Davis

The Rev. Thomas C. Davis of Clemson, SC, died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Anderson, SC, surrounded by family. He had retired as rector of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Clemson.

Rev. Davis was born in Laceyville, PA., August 21, 1929 , a son of Thomas C. Davis Sr. and Frances Harrison Davis. He graduated from Laceyville High School with the Class of 1947. He attended Washington and Lee University and graduated from Drew University with a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained into the Methodist Church in 1958 and later was received into the Episcopal Church. He served parishes in Centermoreland, PA (where he discovered that his great-grandfather, John Harrison, had also served); at St. Stephen's in Wilkes-Barre, PA and Roslindale, Massachusetts, before being called to Holy Trinity, which he served as rector for many years. Moved by the experiences of his young parishoners during the Vietnam War, he joined the U.S.Army as a military chaplain. While he was in Vietnam, his young family lived in Wyalusing. Even after retirement he served as supply clergy in various churches and as far away as Towanda, PA., as recently as December.

He was admired as an avid reader and scholar, an excellent preacher, a compassionate pastor and friend to many, as well as a loving son, husband, father and grandfather. He and his family often spent summer vacations at the family farm on Lime Hill with his parents and young cousin, John Harrison, and visited with old friends in the area.

His wife, Frances Benning Davis, predeceased him, as did a brother, Robert. He is survived by a brother, Samuel (with wife Kay) in Denver; a sister, Frances Lowe (with husband George) in Lubbock, TX.; by his four children: Thomas III (Tod), in Anderson, SC and his children Katherine and Thomas IV; Pamela Hopkins (with husband William), Greenville, NC, and their children, William and Mathew; Andrea Davis Walker and children Kelly Moore, Adam, Nathan, and Carrie; and Stephen Davis, Clemson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 19, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Clemson, with burial to follow in Old St. Paul's Episcopal Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. in the church parlors.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com which is assisting the family. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made instead to the Frances Davis fund, which can be found at the Holy Trinity website.