Newt Davis, longtime educator and coach of 43 years in Lamar County died June 7th, 2025. He was 80.
Newt suffered from various health conditions for a number of years and finally lost his battle to be with the Lord. He kept his brilliant mind, wit, and wisdom until the very end. His son Rusty was by his side when he passed.
He was born in Paris, Texas October 7, 1944. He attended Graham School and then graduated from Paris High School in 1962. He was an excellent student and standout high school football player. Newt was loved by all of his classmates and had a big heart and kind soul. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degree from East Texas State University. Davis met and married the absolute love of his life Anna Hicks and they married in 1967. In 1984, Newt and Anna were blessed with their son, Russell (Rusty) Wayne Davis. Rusty cared for both of his parents in their final years. Rusty was not only Newt’s son, but his best friend.
Newt and Anna were a beloved couple in Paris. Newt was a respected coach and teacher in both Paris and North Lamar Independent School Districts for 30+ years while Anna was a teacher and librarian in the NLISD. When coaching, he always had something up his sleeve. For example, during his years at the helm of Crockett, he won a legendary cross town rivalry game against Travis by a score of 3-0, a rarity for a middle school game. His players and students loved him. Davis is fondly remembered by many of his former students for his “extra credit” star gazing parties that he held on the Crockett Campus. He would bring his telescope up to the school during the many comets, eclipses, and anomalies allowing his students to see and learn about the wonders of our galaxy. He was an avid lover of nature and held a vast knowledge of nature. He was an extremely talented photographer. His favorite hobby was capturing beautiful images of nature and sharing them with his friends and family. Newt was known for his daily photo and e-mail that he sent out after he and Rusty would ride around Lamar County looking for that perfect photo of deer, flowers, looming clouds, sunsets, and various birds, and other images of mother nature. Everyone looked forward to that daily photograph and they will be missed.
Newt was preceded in death by his wife – Anna Davis, father – Roy Davis, mother – Faye Davis, brother – JT Davis, and nephew -Jeff Davis. He is survived by his beloved son, Rusty, his sister and brother-in-law – Janice & Pete Westbrook, his brother and sister-in-law – Royce and Kathy Davis, nephew – Anthony Westbrook, niece and her husband – Amanda & Chris Tondre, nephew and his wife – John Mark and Molly Davis, Niece and her husband – Shelly & Todd Hemphill, and nephew and his wife – Chris and Camille Davis. Davis also had 13 great nephews and nieces that will miss him dearly.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org)
Newt had one final request that this message be passed along:
“If I didn’t know you, sorry I missed you. If you knew me, nothing else needs to be said. The bell has rung, I’m on to a higher class!”
