SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY- Rev. Thomas Richard Davis, Jr. of Saratoga Springs, NY, passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at the age of 90 at The Wesley Health Care Center after a long illness. Tom kept his sense of humor and was a kind caring gentleman to the very end. His family is grateful to the staff at Wesley and Hospice staff for their loving care.

Tom was born in Scranton, PA to Lillian Widmer Davis and Thomas Richard Davis, Sr. in 1934. He went on to graduate from Dartmouth College.

Tom met his first wife of 43 years Rev. Betsy Morgan Davis at Union Theological Seminary where they each received a Masters of Divinity and became ordained ministers. Tom later received a PHD from Duke University and became a professor at UNC Chapel Hill.

They moved to Saratoga Springs with their children in 1966 when Tom became Chaplin and Religion/philosophy professor at Skidmore College, where he taught for 33 years. He advocated for programs that offered educational opportunities to young people in need. Tom was one of the first credentialed alcoholism counselors in NYS, counseling and supporting students seeking recovery from addiction.

Tom and Betsy were active in the civil rights movement, lobbied for women's rights, domestic violence prevention and the NYS Marriage Equality Act. They remained active as clergy and counselors in seeking support and justice for those in need throughout their marriage.  Betsy predeceased him in 2001.

Tom married his second wife Linda Davis and they enjoyed 22 loving years together traveling and spending time with friends and family.

As a United Church of Christ minister Tom specialized in short-term interim ministry for churches that were transitioning to a new minister. He served at numerous churches throughout the Capital and Adirondack regions until he was 80 years old.

Tom served on the National Board of Planned Parenthood and was a passionate supporter of women's rights. He was a founding member of the clergy organization known as the National Religious Coalition for Choice. He published a book about this work called "Sacred Work: Planned Parenthood and Its Clergy Alliances" and was featured in the 2018 Netflix documentary "Reversing Roe." Tom loved books, history, trivia, and humor.  He was devoted to his community, his family and friends, and was a wonderful Grandfather and Dad.  Tom touched lives all over the country, at home and in places like small country churches. He was one of a kind.

Tom is survived by his children Tommy Davis and Miriam Davis-Doern (James Doern), and his grandchildren Lillian Doern, Benjamin Doern, Samantha Davis and Talia Davis.

Tom is also survived by his wife Linda Davis and his step grandchildren Liam DeGeorgio, Madison DeGeorgio, AJ Gutierrez and Sam Gutierrez, and many other loving relatives and friends across the country.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday June 14, 2025 from 3-5pm at the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. A  Funeral Service will be held on Sunday June 15, 2025 at 12:30 at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ, 24 Circular St. Saratoga Springs with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Tom's honor to: Planned Parenthood , Domestic Violence Prevention: Wellspring, 2816 US 9 Malta, NY 12020 or Wellspring , or to the National Organization for Woman