US Diplomat. Appointed as United States Ambassador to Switzerland, he served from 1963 to 1965. He was also a US Navy veteran of World War II.∼Multimillionaire businessman William True Davis, Jr. began his career in the 1950's while working as an executive running the St. Joseph-based Anchor Serum Co., an animal pharmaceutical company started in 1911 by his father William True Davis, Sr.
President Kennedy appointed True Davis Jr. to serve as Ambassador to Switzerland (1963-1965), and he was appointed by President Johnson, as the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (1965-1968).
He served as U.S. Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank, and adviser on the U.S. delegation to World Bank and IMF Marketing. In 1966, he was a U.S. delegate to the International Maritime Coordinating Organization in London. Also as chairman of the National Bank (1970-1973)
After resigning from government service, Mr. Davis ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic senatorial nomination from Missouri. He lost to Missouri's lieutenant governor, Thomas F. Eagleton, who went on to win the Senate seat.
He authored a Veterans of Foreign Wars book, "Americanism vs. Communism."He was a director of the National Rifle Association, the American Cancer Society, the Red Cross, the Metropolitan Washington Board of Trade, the Urban Coalition, the Federal City Council. In addition, he worked as an international financial consultant
Mr. Davis attended Cornell University and during World War II was a civilian flying instructor with the Army Air Corps. He was a test pilot at the Naval Air Station at Pearl Harbor and as a senior lieutenant who was honorably discharged in 1945.
**
1919-2003 True Davis, 83, St. Joseph, MO, former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland, died Wednesday, February 26, 2003, at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Lance and Dana Davis. During World War II he served as chief test pilot at the Naval Air Station at Pearl Harbor. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Senior Grade before being honorably discharged in 1945. On January 24, 1948 he married the former Virginia Motter. She preceded him in death in 1969, while the family was on a safari in East Africa. Resuming his career following World War II, he became President of Anchor Serum Company in 1950 and through company internal growth and mergers made it one of the largest animal pharmaceutical companies in the country. Merging these companies with an affiliate of the Dutch multinational company, Philips Electronics, he became President of Philips Roxane Inc. and Vice-President of Philips Electronics and Pharmaceutical Corporation in 1959. In October 1963, President Kennedy appointed Mr. Davis Ambassador to Switzerland. He held that post until appointed by President Johnson to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in September 1965. Mr. Davis also was appointed by President Johnson as the U.S. Executive Director of the InterAmerican Development Bank in September 1966. Mr. Davis served as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Bank of Washington from 1970 until 1973. Thereafter he worked as an International Financial Consultant. Mr. Davis was a lifelong Democrat and was active in local, state and national politics. While alive. . . he lived! Mr. Davis was preceded in death by his parents, William True and Helen Marstella Davis, Sr., a brother, Dexter Davis and a sister, Daphne MuchnicOppenheimer. Survivors: three sons, William True Davis III, Bruce M. Davis and Lance B. Davis; a sister, Jacqueline Andrews; two grandchildren, Virginia M. Davis and William Truett Davis; and several nieces and nephews. Private graveside services and inurnment at Mount Mora Cemetery, St. Joseph, MO. The family will receive friends 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, at the Benton Club, 402 North 7th Street, St. Joseph, MO. A memorial celebration will be held in Washington, D.C. at a later date. The family suggests memorial gifts to the St. Joseph Museum. (Arrangements: Meierhoffer Family Funeral Service, St. Joseph, MO (816) 232-3366)
Credit: Kansas City Star on Mar. 2, 2003.
President Kennedy appointed True Davis Jr. to serve as Ambassador to Switzerland (1963-1965), and he was appointed by President Johnson, as the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (1965-1968).
He served as U.S. Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank, and adviser on the U.S. delegation to World Bank and IMF Marketing. In 1966, he was a U.S. delegate to the International Maritime Coordinating Organization in London. Also as chairman of the National Bank (1970-1973)
After resigning from government service, Mr. Davis ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic senatorial nomination from Missouri. He lost to Missouri's lieutenant governor, Thomas F. Eagleton, who went on to win the Senate seat.
He authored a Veterans of Foreign Wars book, "Americanism vs. Communism."He was a director of the National Rifle Association, the American Cancer Society, the Red Cross, the Metropolitan Washington Board of Trade, the Urban Coalition, the Federal City Council. In addition, he worked as an international financial consultant
Mr. Davis attended Cornell University and during World War II was a civilian flying instructor with the Army Air Corps. He was a test pilot at the Naval Air Station at Pearl Harbor and as a senior lieutenant who was honorably discharged in 1945.
**
1919-2003 True Davis, 83, St. Joseph, MO, former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland, died Wednesday, February 26, 2003, at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Lance and Dana Davis. During World War II he served as chief test pilot at the Naval Air Station at Pearl Harbor. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Senior Grade before being honorably discharged in 1945. On January 24, 1948 he married the former Virginia Motter. She preceded him in death in 1969, while the family was on a safari in East Africa. Resuming his career following World War II, he became President of Anchor Serum Company in 1950 and through company internal growth and mergers made it one of the largest animal pharmaceutical companies in the country. Merging these companies with an affiliate of the Dutch multinational company, Philips Electronics, he became President of Philips Roxane Inc. and Vice-President of Philips Electronics and Pharmaceutical Corporation in 1959. In October 1963, President Kennedy appointed Mr. Davis Ambassador to Switzerland. He held that post until appointed by President Johnson to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in September 1965. Mr. Davis also was appointed by President Johnson as the U.S. Executive Director of the InterAmerican Development Bank in September 1966. Mr. Davis served as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Bank of Washington from 1970 until 1973. Thereafter he worked as an International Financial Consultant. Mr. Davis was a lifelong Democrat and was active in local, state and national politics. While alive. . . he lived! Mr. Davis was preceded in death by his parents, William True and Helen Marstella Davis, Sr., a brother, Dexter Davis and a sister, Daphne MuchnicOppenheimer. Survivors: three sons, William True Davis III, Bruce M. Davis and Lance B. Davis; a sister, Jacqueline Andrews; two grandchildren, Virginia M. Davis and William Truett Davis; and several nieces and nephews. Private graveside services and inurnment at Mount Mora Cemetery, St. Joseph, MO. The family will receive friends 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, at the Benton Club, 402 North 7th Street, St. Joseph, MO. A memorial celebration will be held in Washington, D.C. at a later date. The family suggests memorial gifts to the St. Joseph Museum. (Arrangements: Meierhoffer Family Funeral Service, St. Joseph, MO (816) 232-3366)
Credit: Kansas City Star on Mar. 2, 2003.
US Diplomat. Appointed as United States Ambassador to Switzerland, he served from 1963 to 1965. He was also a US Navy veteran of World War II.∼Multimillionaire businessman William True Davis, Jr. began his career in the 1950's while working as an executive running the St. Joseph-based Anchor Serum Co., an animal pharmaceutical company started in 1911 by his father William True Davis, Sr.
President Kennedy appointed True Davis Jr. to serve as Ambassador to Switzerland (1963-1965), and he was appointed by President Johnson, as the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (1965-1968).
He served as U.S. Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank, and adviser on the U.S. delegation to World Bank and IMF Marketing. In 1966, he was a U.S. delegate to the International Maritime Coordinating Organization in London. Also as chairman of the National Bank (1970-1973)
After resigning from government service, Mr. Davis ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic senatorial nomination from Missouri. He lost to Missouri's lieutenant governor, Thomas F. Eagleton, who went on to win the Senate seat.
He authored a Veterans of Foreign Wars book, "Americanism vs. Communism."He was a director of the National Rifle Association, the American Cancer Society, the Red Cross, the Metropolitan Washington Board of Trade, the Urban Coalition, the Federal City Council. In addition, he worked as an international financial consultant
Mr. Davis attended Cornell University and during World War II was a civilian flying instructor with the Army Air Corps. He was a test pilot at the Naval Air Station at Pearl Harbor and as a senior lieutenant who was honorably discharged in 1945.
**
1919-2003 True Davis, 83, St. Joseph, MO, former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland, died Wednesday, February 26, 2003, at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Lance and Dana Davis. During World War II he served as chief test pilot at the Naval Air Station at Pearl Harbor. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Senior Grade before being honorably discharged in 1945. On January 24, 1948 he married the former Virginia Motter. She preceded him in death in 1969, while the family was on a safari in East Africa. Resuming his career following World War II, he became President of Anchor Serum Company in 1950 and through company internal growth and mergers made it one of the largest animal pharmaceutical companies in the country. Merging these companies with an affiliate of the Dutch multinational company, Philips Electronics, he became President of Philips Roxane Inc. and Vice-President of Philips Electronics and Pharmaceutical Corporation in 1959. In October 1963, President Kennedy appointed Mr. Davis Ambassador to Switzerland. He held that post until appointed by President Johnson to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in September 1965. Mr. Davis also was appointed by President Johnson as the U.S. Executive Director of the InterAmerican Development Bank in September 1966. Mr. Davis served as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Bank of Washington from 1970 until 1973. Thereafter he worked as an International Financial Consultant. Mr. Davis was a lifelong Democrat and was active in local, state and national politics. While alive. . . he lived! Mr. Davis was preceded in death by his parents, William True and Helen Marstella Davis, Sr., a brother, Dexter Davis and a sister, Daphne MuchnicOppenheimer. Survivors: three sons, William True Davis III, Bruce M. Davis and Lance B. Davis; a sister, Jacqueline Andrews; two grandchildren, Virginia M. Davis and William Truett Davis; and several nieces and nephews. Private graveside services and inurnment at Mount Mora Cemetery, St. Joseph, MO. The family will receive friends 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, at the Benton Club, 402 North 7th Street, St. Joseph, MO. A memorial celebration will be held in Washington, D.C. at a later date. The family suggests memorial gifts to the St. Joseph Museum. (Arrangements: Meierhoffer Family Funeral Service, St. Joseph, MO (816) 232-3366)
Credit: Kansas City Star on Mar. 2, 2003.
President Kennedy appointed True Davis Jr. to serve as Ambassador to Switzerland (1963-1965), and he was appointed by President Johnson, as the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (1965-1968).
He served as U.S. Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank, and adviser on the U.S. delegation to World Bank and IMF Marketing. In 1966, he was a U.S. delegate to the International Maritime Coordinating Organization in London. Also as chairman of the National Bank (1970-1973)
After resigning from government service, Mr. Davis ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic senatorial nomination from Missouri. He lost to Missouri's lieutenant governor, Thomas F. Eagleton, who went on to win the Senate seat.
He authored a Veterans of Foreign Wars book, "Americanism vs. Communism."He was a director of the National Rifle Association, the American Cancer Society, the Red Cross, the Metropolitan Washington Board of Trade, the Urban Coalition, the Federal City Council. In addition, he worked as an international financial consultant
Mr. Davis attended Cornell University and during World War II was a civilian flying instructor with the Army Air Corps. He was a test pilot at the Naval Air Station at Pearl Harbor and as a senior lieutenant who was honorably discharged in 1945.
**
1919-2003 True Davis, 83, St. Joseph, MO, former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland, died Wednesday, February 26, 2003, at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Lance and Dana Davis. During World War II he served as chief test pilot at the Naval Air Station at Pearl Harbor. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Senior Grade before being honorably discharged in 1945. On January 24, 1948 he married the former Virginia Motter. She preceded him in death in 1969, while the family was on a safari in East Africa. Resuming his career following World War II, he became President of Anchor Serum Company in 1950 and through company internal growth and mergers made it one of the largest animal pharmaceutical companies in the country. Merging these companies with an affiliate of the Dutch multinational company, Philips Electronics, he became President of Philips Roxane Inc. and Vice-President of Philips Electronics and Pharmaceutical Corporation in 1959. In October 1963, President Kennedy appointed Mr. Davis Ambassador to Switzerland. He held that post until appointed by President Johnson to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in September 1965. Mr. Davis also was appointed by President Johnson as the U.S. Executive Director of the InterAmerican Development Bank in September 1966. Mr. Davis served as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Bank of Washington from 1970 until 1973. Thereafter he worked as an International Financial Consultant. Mr. Davis was a lifelong Democrat and was active in local, state and national politics. While alive. . . he lived! Mr. Davis was preceded in death by his parents, William True and Helen Marstella Davis, Sr., a brother, Dexter Davis and a sister, Daphne MuchnicOppenheimer. Survivors: three sons, William True Davis III, Bruce M. Davis and Lance B. Davis; a sister, Jacqueline Andrews; two grandchildren, Virginia M. Davis and William Truett Davis; and several nieces and nephews. Private graveside services and inurnment at Mount Mora Cemetery, St. Joseph, MO. The family will receive friends 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, at the Benton Club, 402 North 7th Street, St. Joseph, MO. A memorial celebration will be held in Washington, D.C. at a later date. The family suggests memorial gifts to the St. Joseph Museum. (Arrangements: Meierhoffer Family Funeral Service, St. Joseph, MO (816) 232-3366)
Credit: Kansas City Star on Mar. 2, 2003.
Bio by: Erik Lander
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