Davenport

Mr. Davenport

Memorial Ser vice for Gerald Dwayne Davenport, 55, of Rockdale were to be he ld at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, at First Baptist Church in Rockdale, with Pastors Donald Valenta and Matt Higginbotham officiating.

Visitation was to be held from 10 a.m. until time of service at First Baptist Church.

Burial will be held at Salty Cemetery following the service.

Gerald Dwayne Davenport suddenly passed away Tuesday, Nov. 22, at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple. He was a seven-year survivor of leukemia. He conquered cancer, but continued to battle with serious medical issues in recent years. He showed great courage in facing life challenges with a smile despite his pain; Gerald came out a hero and stayed strong until the end.

Gerald was born on May 4, 1967, in Rockdale to Clarence Jr. and Joan (Rawlins) Davenport.

He was a 1985 graduate of Milano High School.

Gerald learned at an early age the practice of a good work ethic. He worked alongside his mother and father, Clarence Jr. and Joan in the family business Davenport TV & Repair, where he learned many lifelong skills. The father and son team also operated Davenport Wrecker Service for many years.

Gerald’s dream was to work with big trucks and equipment. This dream was finally realized when he started his own business in 2001, Davenport Sand & Gravel. He built up his business with the help of Gene Jones who showed him the ropes of the sand and gravel business.

As a young man growing up in Milano, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his dad.

An avid mechanic, he enjoyed working on restoring trucks and cars and in turn he became the master mechanic and had the ability to troubleshoot and fix anything that had a motor or engine.

Gerald was blessed with a loving family.

He married Vivian Blane Smith on March 19, 1988, at Black Jack Baptist Church.

Gerald helped raise three sons with patience, discipline and humility. He taught them good work ethic and passing on his knowledge and life skills. He enjoyed working closely with his two oldest sons, Geritt and Joshua in helping them build their own businesses and passing on the spirit of entrepreneurship.

When Gerald was not working hard, he enjoyed barbecuing for a variety of family events.

He truly valued the opportunity to watch all his sons participate in local sports and music events as they grew up.

Gerald was a loving and devoted husband and father to his wife and three sons. He was kind and soft spoken, and always had time to help others with whatever they needed.

He will be dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate that he is at peace with his creator.

Gerald is survived by his wife of 34 years, Vivian of Rockdale and his three sons, Geritt Davenport of Denton, Joshua Davenport of Rockdale and Jayden Davenport of Rockdale; his parents, Clarence Jr. and Joan Davenport of Milano; and his sister, Cindy Whitmore of Milano.

He is also survived by his nephews, David Jones of Bryan, Dalton Smith of Temple and Noah Smith of Uvalde, Wyatt Smith of Thorndale; and nieces Carol McElwrath of Rockdale, Kay Kay Lineweaver of Clyde and Victoria Smith of Thorndale.

He was preceded in death by his son, Dwayne Vance Davenport; grandparents Clarence Sr. and Iva Mae Davenport, Bessie Jackson, G.J. Rawlins; and brother-inlaw Robert Whitmore.

Serving as pallbearers will be his sons Geritt, Joshua, and Jayden Davenport; his nephews David Jones, Dalton and Noah Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Salty Cemetery Association, c/o Rebecca McWilliams, 230 County Road 447, Thorndale, TX 76577; Milam County Touch of Love, P.O. Box 543, Cameron, TX 76520; or Black Jack Volunteer Fire Department, 11341 FM 908 South, Rockdale, TX 76567.

Arrangements by Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home, P.O. Drawer 1417, Rockdale, TX 76567, 512-446-5454.