Tulsa, OK - Dr. Davis Darrell Joyce was passionate about people—making the world friendlier, greeting everyone with enthusiasm, stopping to make their day special with his attention. Davis was born in Greenwood Arkansas on June 19, 1940 and died in Tulsa, Oklahoma on March 21, 2026, at age 85.

Davis was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister Marilyn, brother Danny, wife Carole Joyce, and step-son Bret Barlow. Davis is survived by his sons Kent of Noble, and Kirk of Fayetteville, Arkansas and step-daughter Elizabeth Barlow of Snow, and Ruby Gilbreath, Tulsa, his love of the last four years.

Davis graduated from Greenwood High School, leaving Arkansas to attend universities in New Mexico, then finishing his PHD in History at the University of Oklahoma in 1966, where he became an "Okie" forever. He began his teaching career at the University of Tulsa where he taught until 1983. Dr. Joyce holds the position of Professor Emeritus of History at East Central University of Ada, Oklahoma, where he taught until 2002. Additionally, he was a Soros Professor of American Studies, University of Debrecen, Hungary, 1994-1996. Davis Was inducted into the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame in 2022. Dr. Joyce is the author, co-author or editor of thirteen history books, including An Oklahoma I Had Never Seen Before, Alternative Oklahoma, and Howard Zinn: A Radical American Vision.

Davis liked to take the "alternative views" of Oklahoma history, whether it was topics like reproductive choice or gay rights or looking at the Oklahoma land run as an "invasion." His special interest in the common people often left out of mainstream textbooks, made an especially significant impact on Oklahoma and United States History.

Davis LOVED baseball. Feel free to wear a favorite baseball t-shirt or hat to his Celebration of Life service on April 10 at 1:00 PM at All Souls Unitarian Church, 2952 South Peoria Ave. in Tulsa. Party with music, refreshments and Cracker Jack! following in Emerson Hall. BYOB. Donations are made in memory of Davis' commitment to social justice to All Souls Church at website: allsoulschurch.org or mail to 2925 S Peoria Ave., Tulsa, 74114.