Stuart Davis

Stuart C. "Bud" Davis, age 94 of Kerrville, TX, rancher and former Charlotte, NC business leader, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 1, 2016 in Kerrville. \r\n \r\nBud was born June 11, 1921, the son of Will and Ethel Davis in Wilmette, IL. He attended Northwestern University, but left college to join the war effort by making optical gun sight components for airplanes and tanks with the Argus company. After the war, he became a Kodak distributor and operated a camera store in Charlotte, NC. His far-reaching contacts in the photography business led him to create Pixie Kinder Photo, a chain of photography studios that began in Germany in the late 1950's. After returning to the US in 1967, Davis founded Photo Corporation of America (PCA), which became the fastest growing company in North Carolina during the 1970's. The company was renowned for its cutting edge technology, process innovations and groundbreaking employee benefit programs. PCA expanded internationally into Europe, Australia and Japan, employed 7,500 people at its peak and was headquartered in Matthews, NC.\r\n \r\nBud had a passion for airplanes, was an accomplished pilot and enjoyed flying for business, travel and fun for several decades. He retired in 1978 spending time in the Turks and Caicos Islands where he met his wife, Marianne van Kleeff Davis. Subsequently they moved to her ranch in Kerrville, TX where they lived happily for the last 31 years. Bud really enjoyed deer hunting, raising exotic animals, longhorn genealogy, racing the 40 year olds in spinning class and solving Sudoku puzzles. He was a life-long learner and loved reading books about astronomy, anthropology and geology. He and Marianne took special joy in travel and the company of friends. They derived great pleasure hosting extended family members on the ranch and sharing highlights of the Texas Hill Country.\r\n \r\nHe is survived by his wife, Marianne Davis, and 6 children, Kathie Davis Ramsey, Stephanie Davis Fletcher, Christine Davis Ayres, John Davis, Helen Davis Estep and Spring Davis. The extended family includes 9 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.\r\n \r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Helen Stuart Davis; brother, Jack Davis and sister, Jane Davis Chapman. Bud was loved and respected by family, friends and associates and will be dearly missed.\r\n \r\nA celebration of Bud's life is planned at Matthews United Methodist Church in Matthews, NC at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 14, 2016.\r\n \r\nIn lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hosanna Lutheran Church, 134 Camp Meeting Road, Kerrville, TX 78028 or to The Heineman Foundation, 1001 Blythe Blvd, Suite 604, Charlotte, NC 28203.