Larry Davis was one of the leading executives at GBW Associates, LLC and my brother.  Unfortunately, he passed away in August of 2008. He was a renowned author, speaker, and teacher and his work at GBW can never be replaced.  Many folks around the country offered words of recognition and respect for his work - those words are presented below for others to share.  I am sure that Larry is running a big water supply drill somewhere up in Heaven right now with tankers and dump tanks and LDH and perhaps a set-in-his-ways angel with a hurt feeling or two - but that will pass as he comes to see the light of Larry's teachings.

Enjoy the tribute of words

Mark Davis - June 2009

Larry Davis Tribute

Larry Davis   October 22, 1944 – August 3, 2008

It is with great sorry that we announce the death of Larry Davis, our Vice President of Product Services and older brother and mentor of our President, Mark Davis.

Larry was a veteran Firefighter, noted fire service author, speaker, instructor and just plain nice guy. He passed away Sunday, August 3, 2008, at his home in Corpus Christi, Texas, after a 7-month battle with lung cancer. Larry leaves behind his wife, Mary Ann, a daughter Kayce, a stepson Christopher, and a brother Mark. Larry’s 40-plus years of dedication to the fire service left its very positive mark on so many in North America. While his focus was often directed towards small-town USA and rural fire departments – his passion for teaching and writing covered many aspects of fire and emergency services.

In tribute to Larry, Chief Billy Goldfeder wrote,

“Larry's often 'direct' style of educating, instructing and simply making a point (always right!) while ruffling feathers from time to time, has made a major and very positive impact on so many firefighters, departments and communities...including the town we reside in. Never one to be PC or beat around the bush, his passion for doing what is right when it came to firefighters or those we serve was always his top priority..."like it or not". And while initially, Larry's observations were sometimes looked upon at a distance by those afraid to accept reality, time always proved that what he said, suggested or taught-was the right thing to do. The classic "Larry Davis reality checks" have resulted in so many positive differences and changes in leadership, staffing, operations, firefighter safety and survival throughout North America.”

Larry got started in the fire service in the 1960’s as the son of a fire fighter in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. He wasn’t a member of the Canonsburg VFD long before it was “off to the Air Force” where he served in several capacities in their fire service - finishing up as a Staff Sergeant. He worked for many years in industrial fire protection and loss prevention with Industrial Risk Insurers while at the same time being active in the leadership of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors. Upon his retirement from IRI, Larry moved to the Gulf Coast of Texas with his wife were he served as a Staff Division Chief with the Refinery Terminal Fire Company and then Industrial Emergency Services. He was also the Vice President of GBW Associates, LLC and one of the founders of the Rural Firefighting Institute.

At the wishes of the family, a memorial service is being planned 1100 hrs on August 30, 2008 at the Island in the Son, United Methodist Church, 15602 Hwy 361, Corpus Christi, TX 78418.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Larry’s name to the Island in the Son UMC or to the donor’s local volunteer fire department.

The family also recognizes that Larry’s passion for making the fire service better touched so many people ...and the family is encouraging folks that knew Larry to send their thoughts and remembrances in an email to: ldavis@gotbigwater.com

From all of us here at GBW Associates, LLC – Rest in Peace Larry.

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