Chris Ronald Davis

Chris Ronald Davis, age 72, died (day) after a lengthy illness. He was born in Little Rock, Ark., in 1951 to Clyde and Mildred Davis.

Chris was a 1969 graduate of Little Rock Central High school where he was a standout and top scorer on the state championship Tigers basketball team. He was named to the All-State Team and the McDonald’s All-American Basketball Team. He was considered by sports writers at that time as the best high school basketball player in the state. Helping lead his team to the AAA Division Title championship, number 43 was voted MVP in the AAA State Tournament for his memorable fastbreak lay-ups, defensive rebounds and epic field shots. He also excelled in track.

Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Dallas Baptist University, where he played on the university’s basketball team. He returned to Arkansas to be part of a family-owned grocery and meat market, appropriately named Family Affair in Bryant where he worked alongside his mother, dad, brother and sister. The family store and its owners were actively involved in the 70s and 80s growth of the Bryant community. They orchestrated annual fireworks sales and shows every Fourth of July with proceeds going to the Springhill Volunteer Fire Department, long before the north Bryant area was incorporated into the city.

Chris is survived by his sons Aaron and Jordan (Mandy); grandchildren Aiden, Kendyll, Kinsley and Norah Davis; nephews Kris and Kevin Knowlton; nieces Krystal Lockhart and Kimberly Taylor; sister-in-law Libby Davis, and his beloved dog Darby.

He was predeceased by his mother Mildred Heim Davis, father Clyde Davis, Sr., brother Clyde (Robby) Davis, Jr., and sister Cheryl Davis Lovett.

Chris was a devoted member of the Shekhinah church in Benton, led by Pastor Randy Roach.

A celebration of Chris’ life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, September 23, at Little Rock’s Maumelle Park.

Arrangements by Arkansas Cremation, 10515 W Markham St, Ste B1, Little Rock, AR 72205.