About Us

Our Beginning

In 1855, before the Civil War started, James B. Davis, his wife and son Thaddeus, and his wife’s parents made their way from Kentucky to Kansas. It was a time of great upheaval in America, and after what must have been a difficult and challenging journey they decided to stay in Leavenworth. Upon arriving and settling in Leavenworth Mr. Davis and family established a funeral, coffin, burial robe, and furniture building business.

This family venture evolved into the company now known as the Davis Funeral Chapel, Inc. For many years the Davis motto has been “our family serving your family”, which the Davis family has been doing in Leavenworth for 171 years and 8 generations. It is said that Thaddeus Davis was friends with Wild Buffalo Bill Cody. James C. Davis was actively involved in Leavenworth politics, serving as Mayor and Coroner and being instrumental in the building of the City Hall located at 5th and Shawnee St. He also provided an ambulance service with his son-in-law Clarence “Pete” Moulden Funeral Director, who was married to James’ daughter Margaret.

Pete worked with James C. until his death in 1965. Margaret was a school teacher before she became an Assistant Funeral Director. She was also very involved in local political and philanthropic activities in the Leavenworth area. Margaret was the first woman to sit on the Waterworks Board and was instrumental in the building of the Water Treatment Plant on Highway 5. She was also a member of many organizations including: ABWA, The Chamber of Commerce, Garden Club and the Christian Women’s Club. Pete and Margaret’s only son Davis took his place at the funeral home in the 1970’s. Davis has held such offices such as County Coroner, Mayor, City Commissioner, and Chairman of the Cushing Hospital Board of Directors. He was active in the building of the Cushing Medical Plaza on 6th Street.

Davis has been actively working in the Leavenworth community for 60 years. Davis and his wife Debbie, who is an Assistant Funeral Director and Crematory Specialist, have cared for local families for 45 years. Debbie has also been a member of many associations and has received the prestigious Athena Award for Women in honor of her tireless commitment to the Leavenworth community. Davis and Debbie’s daughter Hope Margaret served and was loved by the citizens of Leavenworth for over a decade. Their grandson Thaddeus James is active in the local downtown community business scene operating Dad’s Toys. Thaddeus is an active member of the Leavenworth Cruisers and the Kiwanis Club. Thaddeus raises funds for local organizations in memory of his beloved aunt Hope.

Over the years the funeral home has been host to many infamous clients via the local prison populations, including mobsters Bugs Moran of the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre and George “Machine Gun” Kelly from the federal prison. Other notables include executed killers Richard Hickok and Perry Smith of “In Cold Blood” fame and Lathram and York, the last 2 executions at the Kansas State Penitentiary. It is not unusual to hear a family say, “Your grandpa took care of my grandpa,” or even great-greats. It has been a time-honored tradition, a family business built on the Golden Rule platform, to serve and care for the needs of the Leavenworth community for 169 years and counting.