Harold O Davis

"A Self Made Man" Harold O. "Hal" Davis, 95, of Toledo, Ohio, has passed away on August 30, 2024. Mr. Davis is survived by his son, William Davis, his daughter in law Victoria Williams, SueAnn Hutchinson and her husband Scott Hutchinson, grandchildren Sarah-Ann Rodgers and Tyler Davis. Born in Ford City, Pennsylvania in 1929, he graduated in 1947 from Doylestown High School where he grew up. Mr. Davis then served in the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command where he played an instrumental role in deploying and flying B-29 Bombers to various parts of the world during the Korean War. On the G.I. Bill, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University in 1956. This is where Mr. Davis met his future wife, Barbra Younkin, and in 1955 they married at the Prout Chapel at Bowling Green State University campus. In 1956, he worked at Ernst & Ernst, a CPA firm, as an audit supervisor. He was hired by The Blade Newspaper on Oct. 23, 1963, as assistant controller and was promoted to director of finance in April 1969. In 1978 he completed the Harvard Advanced Management Program and in Jan. 1984, was named Vice President, Administration of both The Blade and Block Communications, Inc. As chief financial officer of BCI, Mr. Davis was involved in the acquisition and financial operations of fourteen companies including the forming of Buckeye Broadband. His favorite Blade newspaper was the Monterey Peninsula Herald on the beautiful California Coast. He traveled there annually and was involved in the installation of new presses and implementation of good relations between union labor and management. The always present plaque located on his desk stated "Communicate" and his chief solution was to "cope". While his forte was business and finance, Mr. Davis- received media attention in 1967 for his golfing prowess, when he hit what some deemed "the longest drive ever recorded at the ancient Valleywood Golf Club." He was active in many professional organizations including the Toledo Rotary. When his son Bill joined the Boy Scouts, he developed the idea of fundraising for all of NW Ohio. Due to his innovative ideas for popcorn sales, he was known as the "Popcorn Colonel" Mr. Davis loved boating and owned five separate boats all named "Sojourn." He served as commodore at the Indian Hill Boat Club in 1979, affectionately known as "Mr. Clean" due to his attentiveness to his boats. After 27 years, Hal retired and enjoyed traveling to California multiple times a year. He also cruised to Alaska, the Baltic Sea, and traveled parts of Europe, all with his wife of 54 years, Barbra. In 2009, after being widowed, Hal reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Helene Chambers. They enjoyed six years together, reminiscing on the old days but creating new memories. Mr. Davis was a true gentleman and was always courteous, conscientious, honorable, collaborative, loyal, and respectful. In his life, he put others before himself. Mr. Davis was a member of Zion Methodist Church where he served as Teasurer, and later in life was involved with St. Andrews UM Church. He has served on the board of Riverside Hospital, North Coast Health Systems, and the Bowling Green State University Foundation. He had infinite patience and leadership skills, often encouraging people to not admire their work before it was finished. Mr. Davis was an inspiration to all with his many successes in life. He was a peaceful, patient, kind and a true gentlemen. Visitation will be held on Wednesday September 4, 2024 at Church of St. Andrew United Methodist, 3620 Heatherdowns Blvd. 43614 from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am followed by committal services at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park Cemetery.

Harold O Davis

May 15, 1929 - August 30, 2024