Karl T. Davis Jr.

Born and raised in Oklahoma, Karl was the son of the late Karl T. and Lois Davis.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, Karl was stationed in Niagara Falls, N.Y., from 1961-65. It was there he met and married his wife of 55 years, Georgia.

Karl began his newspaper career in 1965 in Dallas, Texas, as an account executive with All Church Press Inc. In 1966, he moved back to Niagara Falls to accept a position as advertising representative with the Niagara Falls Gazette, later becoming retail advertising manager. He was appointed advertising director at the Saratoga Springs Saratogian in 1978.

On May 30, 1979, Karl was hired as advertising director for the OBSERVER and later was named director of sales development. He began serving as interim general manager in August 1997 and in December of that year was appointed the newspaper’s general manager, a position he held until his retirement in 2007.

Active in the community, Karl was a member and past president of the Dunkirk Rotary Club. In 1981, he was named a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of his service to the organization. He served on the board of directors of the Northern Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce and the American Red Cross. He also was a longtime member and past president of the New York State Newspaper Advertising and Marketing Executives.

An avid fisherman, he was the founding chairman of the Chautauqua County Sports Fishing Advisory Board and belonged to the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club. Karl was also a Corvette enthusiast. In 1999, he achieved a life-long dream when he purchased a brand new C5, and subsequently joined the Interstate C5 Cruising Unlimited Group (IC5CU).

Survivors include his wife, Georgia; one daughter, Kristen (Edward) Kutina of Sheffield Village, Ohio; five grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Kelly (Brian) Zaccarine; and one sister, Karlene (Les) Jones.

As the saying goes, Karl never met a stranger. With his friendly smile, outgoing personality and southern charm, he easily made friends and left an indelible impression on everyone he met. Even when he could no longer speak, he exuded warmth and won his care-givers’ love.

Those who had the distinct pleasure of being in his inner circle of family and close friends are forever better for having had him in their lives. He is missed immensely.

While the family will hold a private memorial service, condolences may be sent to MemoriesofKarl@gmail.com. Because of the wonderful care provided to Karl and his family by Chautauqua County Hospice, the family gratefully requests that memorial contributions be made to the organization in his name.

Arrangements are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.