From Dirt Roads to Community Development: The Legacy of Roy Davis at Possum Kingdom
Roy Davis is a long-time resident and influential figure at Possum Kingdom, known for his contributions to the community through his businesses, volunteer firefighting efforts, and dedication to improving the area’s infrastructure and quality of life.
Not many people at Possum Kingdom can recall the road down the peninsula heading to Sandy Beach was a dirt road.
But Roy Davis can.
Davis originally moved to Possum Kingdom in the 1950s. His father lived in Fort Worth but got interested in the lake and built Scuba Point in 1959, the place where Lush Resort is located now.
Scuba Point was a business that taught scuba lessons, sold equipment and welcomed divers from all over. In the 1970s a pool was installed there to help teach lessons, and it’s still used by Lush Resort to this day.
Davis attended school in Graford until sixth grade, when his father decided he wanted his son to receive a top-notch education from Peacock Military Academy in San Antonio. The younger Davis graduated from there in 1972, then returned to PK full time to help his father operate Scuba Point.
Something happened in the late 1970s that changed the course of his life at the lake, however. In 1979, Sportsman’s World began development, and new roads were expanding access in the area. By 1983, Davis had begun building homes in Sportsman’s World, and he recognized the great potential that it possessed.
Roy Davis with his son, Dustin, at the entrance of Sportsman’s World. Both of Roy’s children live across the road from him to this day.
Along with a partner, he started Bluff Creek Marina and founded Bluff Creek Construction. It’s a business that he still leads more than decades later.
Davis’ role at Sportsman’s World wasn’t limited to the marina and the building trade, though. He helped found the Hell’s Gate Volunteer Fire Department, and he serves as its fire chief. Davis said the brush and cedar in the area made the VFD necessary, as the other area VFDs are too far away should a fire break out.
Davis also has managed the Sportsman’s World water plant for more than 40 years, and he’s made sure Sportsman’s World has stayed in good shape by helping build condos and maintaining roads over the years.
Davis recalled how Sportsman’s World has changed over the years, noting that at one time there was an eight- room lodge located where the pavilion, pool and tennis courts are now. The lodge was intended to provide accommodations for prospective lot buyers, but the maintenance was too much for what it was worth. He said there was more value in creating common spaces where families could gather and entertain instead.
Sportsman’s World also boasts its own airport with a 4,200-foot runway, as well as some of the best views of Hell’s Gate at Possum Kingdom Lake.
Davis also raised his two children there. His son, Dustin, graduated from Graford High School and continues to work alongside his dad. His daughter, Jessa Foster, attended school in Palo Pinto during her elementary years and enjoyed participating in rodeo events before becoming a practicing family nurse practitioner. Davis proudly noted that both of his children live across the road from him to this day.
But it’s not just family and business for Davis. To him, it’s also about community, which is why he is so proud of how Sportsman’s World is run these days. He said he still sits on many boards at Sportsman’s World to help serve others.
“My whole goal is to help people and try to treat everybody the same,” he said. “I want to help any way I can.”
Roy Davis helped found the Hell’s Gate Volunteer Fire Department, and he serves as its fire chief.
