Paul Dean Davis, Sr. was born on July 19, 1930 in Seminole to Thomas Bethel Davis and Susan Zada (Edwards) Davis. He grew up in Savanna and graduated from Savanna High School, where he excelled not only academically but also as a star basketball player. He went to Eastern State College for 2 years where he also played basketball, then finished his education at Southeastern State College in Durant, also starring on the basketball team there. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War from August, 1954 to May, 1956, where he served as a teletype operator, using secret coded messages to send to other operations. He also played basketball for the Army all over the world. When he received his honorable discharge he returned to this area, and married Shirley Joyce Nowell on May 20, 1955. She preceded him in death on June 26, 2011.

Paul began his career in public education and coaching at Bokchito for 1 year before moving to Kiowa where he taught typing and was the head boys basketball coach for over 18 years. He completed the last 10 years of his career at Savanna school as principal and basketball coach. Upon retiring, he began his second career in the propane business, joining his brother in the Davis Propane Service. He worked tirelessly in that business, delivering propane into his 80's. Paul loved to go hunting and, being an ex-coach, loved watching any kind of sports. He particularly loved watching his grandkids play. Paul was a long-time member of the Victory Park Baptist Church of McAlester.

Paul is survived by his children, Paul Dean Davis, Jr. and wife Jerri, Stanley Neal Davis and Kelly Pate, Thomas Joe Davis and wife Michelle, and Bonnie Sue Weeks and husband Randy; grandchildren, Katy Davis and husband Mike, Paul Dean Davis, III (Trey), Campbell B. Davis, Bethany Gray, John Paul Davis, Colton B. Weeks and wife Jade, Ryan D. Weeks and wife Jessie, Shelby L Davis, Ronnie Golden and husband Dave, April Jefferies, and Amanda Jefferies; great grandchildren, Chale Gray, Averi Gray, Whitley Weeks, Zane Morris, Blayque Golden, Hunter Golden, Luke Golden, Lylah, Sayler, Abby, Abel, Demri and Roman Jefferies. Paul was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; sisters, Bethalline Bryant and Pauline Bryant; brothers, James Ray Davis and Roy Edward Davis and his wife Joyce.