FRANKLIN – It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Frank Burts Davis (Franklin, North Carolina), born in Charleston, South Carolina, who passed away on April 1, 2020, at the age of 75.
He was an accomplished electrical engineer and licensed radio operator with extensive experience in television broadcast, production, and equipment manufacturing. Over his 50 year career, he worked at South Carolina Educational Television (1966-1972), Ampex Corporation (1972-1977), A. H. Belo Corporation (1979-1994), and the University of North Carolina Center for Public Television (2002-2015), among other companies. He was also an Advanced Amateur Radio Operator, Instrument Rated Private Pilot, and licensed real estate broker. He was a proud member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, The Society of Broadcast Engineers, and Mensa. His joy of living, commanding presence, and sharp wit earned him many friends who will miss him dearly.
He was predeceased by his parents, Walter Martin Davis and Winifred Starnes Davis, and his sisters, Claire Akers, Barbara Pagnozzi, and Katherine Norton. He is survived by his sons, William Rhett Davis (Christina) of Durham and Richard Christopher Davis (Sally) of Singapore, his daughter Traci Susan Davis of Durham, and his grandchildren Isabel, Zachary, Benjamin, Dominic, and Elizabeth Ann.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Franklin or the Methodist Home for Children.
The Davis family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Durham, NC. Online condolences: hallwynne.com; select obits.