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Our Founder
Paul G. Davis - Born January 21, 1908 - Died August, 1981
Paul G. Davis was born in Portal, North Dakota. Portal is located on the North Dakota/Canadian border. Paul was the youngest son of nine children; he had two older sisters and six older brothers. Paul’s parents Kathryn and Arthur O. Davis lived in Portal until 1910 when the family moved to an area just south of Poplar, Montana. Paul’s father homesteaded land and founded a town by opening a General Store and a School. The town was named Arthur, Montana. Paul moved to Indiana in his mid 20’s, to be near one of his sisters who had moved to Laporte, Indiana. Paul married Mildred Small of Glen Park, Indiana January 30, 1934.
During World War II Paul served as a Lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol. In 1942, Paul and Mildred became parents of a son they named for Paul’s father, Arthur O. Davis. In 1942, Paul meets his future business partner, Jack Erickson, while they are both working for Hellman Tire Service. Hellman Tire was also the White Truck distributor in the area at the time. April 16, 1946 Paul and Jack formed a corporation and opened a Pure Oil gas station on the corner of 5th and Chase in Gary, Indiana. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Hellman made a decision to relinquish the White Truck distributorship. At that time, Paul and Jack acquired the White Truck distributorship in the area.The Pure Oil gas station was the base building and over the next 14 years, two additions were built on to the gas station. Paul and Jack also had a Jeep Truck franchise at this same location. Gary White Sales and Service remained in this location until 1960.
In January 1960 Gary White Sales and Service, Inc. moved to its second home, located on Chicago Avenue, in Gary Indiana. The new dealership was constructed on a five acre parcel of land. In October 1975 Paul sold his share of the dealership to his son and retired. Even though retired Paul continued to be active in the business and worked every day until his death in 1981.
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In 2005, as the staff at Truck City of Gary sat down and began planning and designing the new facility to be built on interstate 94, the first thoughts and discussion centered on the man who founded the business, Paul G. Davis. The staff wanted to honor the man who dedicated his life to the business. To this end, the idea of a portrait of Paul, that would hand in the new yet to be designed lobby, was decided upon. In working with the architects, the lobby was designed with the focal point to be the portrait of paul. A local artist was commissioned to paint the portrait from family photographs. The portrait was unveiled at the building dedication which was held on January 21, 2008. That date was chosen as it Paul G. Davis' 100th birthday.
This portrait was hung in the lobby on dedication day soon after the unveiling.
Posing with the portrait of founder Paul G. Davis from left to right are: Paul M. Davis, Grandson. Arthur O. Davis, Son and Gerri L. Davis-Parker, Granddaughter.
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