A public visitation and gathering of friends and family for longtime Volusia and Daytona Beach area hospitality leader Bob Davis will unfold from 10 a.m.-noon on Friday, July 18, at Lohman Funeral Home, 1201 Dunlawton Ave. in Port Orange.
Davis, the devoted and colorful longtime patriarch of the destination’s hotel and tourism industry for nearly 60 years, died on Sunday, July 13, following a two-year battle with cancer. His death inspired a flood of remembrances from an array of area leaders that extended beyond the hospitality industry.
Bob Davis, president and CEO of the Lodging & Hospitality Association of Volusia County, speaks to guests gathered Tuesday as he is honored for his 60 years of service to the hospitality industry and the community during a luncheon at Daytona State College.
He was 87.
According to the funeral notice published online, burial will be private. A celebration of life, that most certainly will attract a who’s who of area tourism, business, education and governmental leaders, will be scheduled at a later date, the notice stated.
The notice, which also refers to Davis by his given name, Robert C. Davidson, notes that he was born on March 25, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York. It adds that he was preceded in death by his wives Doloraus and Sydelle, and lists the following survivors:
Daughters Judie (Brian) Edwards, Rita Erwin and Bob Janke; grandchildren Austin (Amanda) Edwards; Brianna Edwards and fiancé Tyler Adcock; Adam (Tara) Levandowski; niece Bonnie (Frank) Litrento; great-nephew Michael (Loren) Litrento; great-niece Nicole (Nick) Dimour and his great-grandchildren Aiden (The Mensch) and Harper Edwards.
“The family extends heartfelt thanks to the incredible team of healthcare professionals who supported him over the past 2 years,” the notice states. “Their compassion, dedication and respect brought comfort and dignity in his final chapter and we are deeply grateful for the care they provided.”
In lieu of flowers, those mourning are urged to please consider making a donation in Davis’ memory to the Bob Davis Culinary and Hospitality Endowed Scholarship, instituted in 2024 by Daytona State College at https://bit.ly/BobDavis-Scholarship.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona hotel leader Bob Davis funeral arrangements announced