John Francis Davis III ’74 was nicknamed “Froggy” for a reason. He flat out loved TCU.

Davis, a TCU Trustee for a quarter century, died April 27 at age 72.

Born in Cocoa Beach, Fla., he grew up in Baton Rouge, La., and became an Eagle Scout at 14. He chose TCU because it was the farthest university from his home that accepted him, his family said. During his college years, he joined Kappa Sigma and created ties to the university that remained strong all of his life.

Five years after graduating, he married Leah Muncey, forming a 45-year union. He began his career at 3M, worked in medical sales and dabbled in oil and gas. Two ventures he founded became well-known names: the hotel and travel reservations company Pegasus Solutions and 1-800-Flowers.

With all of his accomplishments, nothing was more important to him than family.

“As a father, he was my best friend,” said John Francis “Beau” Davis IV, one of three Davis sons (Andrew ’08, Joshua ’11). “He traveled a ton during my childhood but always made sure he made it home to catch our games.

“We did everything together — summer trips to Europe, Dallas Cowboys games, TCU games. A lot of our time was based around sports.”

As a TCU Trustee, his father made diversity his main focus, Beau said. “Not only diversifying the Board of Trustees but also the student body.”

He was a powerful force in expanding campus facilities, especially in establishing the John and Leah Davis Academic Learning Center for student-athletes. He also had a big hand in developing the Hyatt Place TCU hotel.

“He wanted to ‘up’ the experience of every person who walked across the campus — staff, student, anyone,” Beau said. “He wanted to leave it a special place.”

At the funeral, Horned Frog or not, “we all wore purple.”