Obituary: Marvin Davis

Marvin “Marv” Davis, of Atlanta, Ga., passed away on Feb. 25, 2023, at home surrounded by family. Marv was born on Nov. 16, 1937, in St. Louis, Mo., to parents Samuel and Pauline Davis.

Marv attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. Upon graduating from Washington University, Marvin joined the United States Navy and was assigned to the U.S.S. Topeka, a guided missile cruiser, as a weapons officer. Thereafter, he was assigned to the White Sands Missile Base, where he conducted missile tests.

Upon leaving the U.S. Navy, Marv earned an M.B.A. from Washington University. Thereafter, he was employed as an executive at Standard Oil of California, Shell Oil, Pfizer, and Sentry Insurance. While working for Shell Oil in Manhattan, N.Y., Marv met Trudy Rein, his wife of 54 years.

Marv quickly developed a reputation as an expert in corporate crisis management. He subsequently joined Grisanti, Galef and Goldress, one of the oldest corporate consulting firms in the United States and, eventually, would become president of that firm. At Grisanti, Galef and Goldress, Marv specialized in “turnarounds” of corporations in crisis and was responsible for the turnarounds of over 100 companies located in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia. He was a member of the Turnaround Management Association and was the author of two books regarding corporate governance, “Turnaround,” and “Take No Prisoners: A No Nonsense Guide to Corporate Excellence.” Marv was also the author of a tape series entitled, “The Profit Prescription.”

As a corporate CEO, Marv was a proponent of corporate integrity, employee empowerment, and corporate fiscal responsibility. He especially loved mentoring junior employees at the companies he ran.

Upon his retirement from consulting, Marv was active in the North Atlanta Men’s Club and was elected president of the club. Through the North Atlanta Men’s Club, Marv enjoyed poker, philanthropy including welcoming soldiers home from deployment at the Hartsfield Airport USO and participating in the investment group.

Marv loved good food, fine wine and international travel and a good joke but especially loved his family.

Marv is survived his loving wife, Trudy; children, Dr. Julie Davis-Best of Chandler, Ariz., and Jeffrey Davis, of Queens, N.Y., and his five grandchildren who he adored, Skylar, Jacob, Sarah, Leah and Noa.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Weinstein Hospice in Atlanta or Temple Emanu-El in Atlanta. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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