Ronald Davis

Ronald Joseph Davis, age 71, of Kalamazoo, MI passed away on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 in Stuart, FL. He was born on November 11, 1944 in Cleveland, Ohio to Joseph and Jean (Williams) Davis. Ron attended Western Michigan University, where he received his bachelor's degree in accounting in 1966 and went on to earn his MBA in marketing in 1973. After serving with the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps, Ron became an account executive at William John Upjohn Associates, which became Biggs-Gilmore Communications and is now known as VML. During his tenure at Biggs-Gilmore Communications, Ron was named executive vice president in 1985, president in 1987 and then rose to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1988. After retiring from Biggs-Gilmore Communications in 2000, Ron continued working with longtime client Armstrong International. Ron received the American Advertising Federation's "Aid to Advertising Education Award" from Western Michigan University in 1985 and was awarded the American Advertising Federation's Silver Medal Award in 2008. Throughout the course of his life Ron maintained a steadfast commitment to his community and was always sharing his time and talent with several Kalamazoo, Michigan as well as national organizations. He served on the Board of Directors for Gryphon Place and also held leadership roles as a board member and chairman of the American Red Cross (Kalamazoo chapter), as president of the Board of Directors of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and served on the boards of the Bronson Healthcare Foundation and the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. He co-chaired the Century Club of the Boy Scouts of America and chaired the National Future Farmers of America Foundation. Having grown up in Ohio, Ron was an avid Ohio State University Buckeyes fan and was always up for a good bet around football. He enjoyed traveling, reading, watching baseball, spending time on the water, visiting with his grandchildren and fishing trips to Alaska with his close friend, Gus Armstrong. More than anything, Ron was a family man who was most content when surrounded with those he loved. Ron was preceded in death by his parents. Ron was incredibly well loved and will be missed so very greatly by many, including his wife Rebecca; his son, Jon (AnneMarie) Suarez-Davis; his stepchildren Ellison (Corey Thelen) Schoen and Shavonn (Adam) Bradley; his grandchildren Hayden, Miles, Cary, Tyler and Makayla; his sister Sandi (Len) Guerra; and first wife and mother of his child, Darlene Davis. A celebration of Ron's life will be held on Friday, January 29th at Rose Street Market from 4-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ron's name can be made to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.