Donald Lee Davis

Donald Lee Davis: Born September 20, 1940, to William Sherman Davis and Janet Imogene Cosgrove Davis. He died May 28, 2025, surrounded by his sister, Linda and brother-in-law Kent as well as his friend Betty Beard. He was preceded in death by his sister Nancy D. McClelland.

He is survived by his sons Donald Lee Davis Jr. (Gina) son Tristan Davis, and James Davis, sons Henry Davis and Jayden Davis, stepson Tim Watkins, children Gabriella, Zander and Anthony. Sister Linda Shafer (Kent) and nephew Frank McClelland, great nephew Joel and great niece Amelia, nieces Maria Dover (Dave), great niece Hannah, Nicole Tobin Grossi (Tony), great nephews Conor, Akex and Luca, Rachel Fulton (Matt), Anna Jerdan (Drew).

Donald was able to get along with almost anyone. He remained friends with many people over his life time. Donald was friendly and easy to talk to. He tried to see the best in people. He was able to tell a good story or yarn and loved to hear one. Those who knew him understood that he was known to make stories larger than life. He loved hearing about our cat and his friend's cat and their antics. He was independent and a freethinking kind of person. Unless there was something to say or inquire about, he was generally kept to himself.

Donald was a mechanic's, mechanic. He could work on any car. He and his dear friend, Ed Fitzgerald won many races with a car that Don built and Ed drove. He was well known in dirt car racing in Kansas City in his younger days. Don learned auto mechanics at Paseo High School in the 1950's. He was an excellent welder and auto body man. When he was 19 or 20 he bought a workshop on 67th street near Swope Park and maintained a garage there for many years. He had a filling station at Swope Park and Gregory for a long time. There he won many awards including a trip to Puerto Rico as a top performing station. He also sold We Care cosmetics for many years where he made many friends.

Since the 1990's Don had a wheel, tire, hubcap, and emblem venue at the Super Flea for classic and vintage cars. It was located in the old Montgomery Wards store on St John in the Northeast part of Kansas City. His enterprise was known as Don & Lee Auto or Wheels and More. He referred to himself as, "The Boss". One could find almost anything car related in his gigantic booth. It broke his spirit when it came time to wind down and close his store. He loved to spend his weekends there making small talk with others who visited or had a booth.