July 25, 1940 – May 30, 2026
Thomas Marshall “Tom” Davis Jr., 85, of Roanoke, passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Tom was born in 1940 and was a graduate of Andrew Lewis High School in Salem in 1958. Upon graduation, he was offered a scholarship to Virginia Tech but chose instead to enter the workforce. He began his career with Roanoke Paint & Glass and then went on to purchase White House Galleries on Maple Avenue in 1961. Eventually, he moved the business to 220 South after he purchased Dr. Pinkard’s property where he owned and operated the art gallery. He continued serving the community as a Custom Art Framer for more than 30 years.
A dedicated worker throughout his life, Tom was known as a true workaholic both on the job and at home. He enjoyed restoring over 100 automobiles and held a degree in Fine Art Restoration.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Davis Sr. and Nelda Ragland Orr; his sister, Rebecca “Becky” Grissett; and his beloved dog, “Redbud,” who was a constant companion to Tom.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of more than 20 years, Sula K. Davis of Roanoke; his sons, John Matthew Davis of Stewartsville and Danny (Dan) Marshall Davis (Dana) of Callaway; nephew, Tracy Alexander Grissett of Marion; and niece, Catherine “Cathy” Yerkes (Rick) of Melbourne, Fla. Also left to cherish his memory are Angela Sengson (John) of Fincastle; Douglas Schmittler (Kathy) of Oklahoma City, Okla.; Noah Pace of Frederick, Md.; Harper Pace of Charlottesville; Barrett Pace of Fincastle; his sister, Nancy Routson (Dan) of Des Moines, Iowa; his first cousin, Mary Jane Reid of Winston-Salem, N.C.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family members, friends and neighbors.
The family extends a special thank you to Dr. Quasir Raza for the exceptional medical care and compassion shown to Tom over several years.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Oakey’s South Chapel. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. An inurnment will follow at Fair View Cemetery on Melrose Avenue in Roanoke.
In lieu of flowers, they family requests memorial contributions be made to the SPCA, Star City Greyhound Adoption, or to Angels of Assisi. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.Oakeys.com. Arrangements entrusted to Oakey’s South Chapel, Roanoke, 540-989-3131.
