Robert Lee Davis
Born December 16, 1944 in Amarillo, TX
Died June 11, 2019 in Aurora, CO
Dr. Bob Davis is survived by his wife, Kathy Davis, his sons Raymond Davis, Richard Davis and Ryan Davis; eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He loved his daughters-in-law as daughters: Barbara Davis and Jocelyn Davis.
Bob was raised in Westminster, CO, graduated from Westminster High School; attended Rockmont Bible College; later earned a PhD in Martial Arts Science and became an instructor in police arrest and control. Bob Davis was promoted to 10th Degree Black Belt by an international board for the creation of his unique system of Omega Martial Arts.
He served a s a Campus Life Club Director under the Denver Area Youth for Christ Organization and as a volunteer counselor with Mission 5280 of Denver First Church of the Nazarene where he attended since 1989. Bob spent many years as a painting contractor doing largely custom homes in Evergreen and Bailey Colorado. When an accident on the job at 21 severely damaged his right foot, he was told that hew would never climb a ladder again and would walk with a limp. So, he bought a motorcycle and joined a karate school. He recovered to continue painting and devoted 42 years to the martial arts defying all the odds.
Bob Davis had a passion for learning and was a fierce competitor. He attained high rank in Tae Kwon Do, Jujitsu, Isshinryu, Judo and mastered several weapons. Bob was a top-rated full contact fighter in the Denver area for several years and excelled at point fighting and forms competition as well. He competed in, refereed, and directed local, regional, and international tournaments. He worked in tournament settings for the World Tae Kwon Do Federation, USA Karate Federation Colorado Karate Association of which he was a founding board member, and the World Congress of Amateur Athletes. He earned a World Championship ring and was inducted into the World Karate Hall of Fame.
Besides martial arts, Bob had passions for fishing, camping, and speed! He caught fish when no one else could and flew down Bandimere Speedway to victory several times in his Corvette. He loved spending time at the track with Ray, Barb, RJ, and whoever else showed up.
Bob Davis loved his family, his friends, and his Lord Jesus Christ. He was perceived as quiet, that is until you got to know him. His fun side surfaced in puns and jokes, putting on the Littlest Black Belt skit, ricking his young black belts into bowing and reciting “Oh-wha-ta-goo-siam”. He created more than a place to train in martial arts; he created a family. Bob wanted a place where families could train together that was fun, safe, and taught quality martial arts. For 33 years, he succeeded.
Though all we have now of him is memories, may we hold tight to the good things he tried to instill in us all. Rest in peace Sir.
Back on Oct. 11, 1999, two days after competing in one of the last CKA tournaments of the season, I was injured in a motorcycle accident which totaled the bike and left me unable to drive my only other means of transportation at the time – a ’75 Dodge pickup truck with a 4-speed and a heavy clutch. That left me having to depend on friends to get around, but it also made it necessary to teach classes from a chair on the sidelines of my school’s workout area – which was difficult at best – and, unfortunately, I didn’t have sufficient assistant instruction available to continue the training appropriately for my students otherwise, so my business took a big hit within a short amount of time …along with my income. Well, I didn’t really know Bob Davis all that well; he was simply an acquaintance that I’d met on the tournament circuit through a close friend (and another amazing Martial Artist) by the name of Bob Orlando. But Mr. Davis heard of my situation through the grapevine shortly after it happened – and consequently took it upon himself to host a series of seminars held at his school which raised a considerable amount of funds that he then donated to me in order to keep me even with my living expenses while the details from the accident were figured out. In other words, Mr. Davis went ‘way out of his way to help someone that he really didn’t know all that well – other than being a fellow Martial Artist and a friend of a friend. But that single act of selfless kindness on his part told me all I had to know about him to appreciate who he was – and become a lifelong friend as well.
Now, I realize that I’m preaching to the choir for anyone who really knew him, but he was one of the incredibly special people – Martial Artist or otherwise – who truly walked their talk with God. And that, then, brings me to a confession and an apology that I have to make.
Although he and I stayed in touch on and off for a couple of years after the accident, we eventually lost constant contact – partly because he was located in Castle Rock and I was located in Lakewood, so it’s not exactly like we ever found it convenient to meet up for lunch. So, fast-forward to 2012 and the stroke that he suffered: I eventually heard about it (from who, I don’t remember right now) and went to visit him at the Cherry Creek Nursing Center once I knew where he was. And it was a shock. I still remember when I first saw him laying in the bed, immobile, barely able to speak – and it broke my heart. I’d only known him as a healthy, vibrant, and highly active/animated Martial Arts school owner who generated a huge amount oif enthusiasm and respect from everyone around him. To see that kind of vitality taken away so suddenly just didn’t seem possible or real. But it was. And it was a huge wake-up call. I missed him already.
Anyway, the short story from there is that I went to visit him occasionally – meaning usually on “special occasions” like Easter, July 4th, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. But not every big holiday – and not even every year. …And therein is my confession: I showed up a few times over the years (and while it didn’t always honestly seem to make him feel any better, I hoped there was a chance that he’d at least know that I still cared) – but I failed to show up nearly as often as I should have. Worst of all, though, I didn’t go to see him at all this year. And now, it’s too late. So my apology, then, is to Bob Davis personally – and also to everyone who loved him: I’m sorry. So sorry. He deserved much better from me.
God bless you, Bob. You definitely deserve that. RIP.
Hale