James Franklin Davis' Obituary
James Franklin Davis stepped into eternity and into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus, on Sunday August 27th following a sudden illness and a long battle with Parkinsons Disease.
James was born in Princeton, NJ, to Henry and Mildred Davis. He was the oldest of four children in his family. Over the course of his life, he lived in many places, including Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Chicago, and of course Dallas. He loved music his whole life and earned a Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Chicago Conservatory with a major in Composition and Conducting.
James held a wide range of jobs, including band director, music teacher, Assistant Director of the Music and Theater program at Fort McClellan Alabama, commodities broker, and Director of the “Coins for Kids” program at Dallas Can Academy.
It was during his third time in Dallas that he met Sharon in a Sunday School class at Scofield Church. They were married on November 24, 1984, and the rest, as they say, is history. He and Sharon were inseparable from the very beginning. They loved volunteering together and volunteered for many causes and events, including participation in the Neiman Marcus Adolphus Childrens Parade for over 15 years. He particularly loved Samaritan Purse’s Operation Christmas Child and the Angel Tree program at the Salvation Army. For several years, he dressed up as Santa during the Hunt Oil Company’s annual Christmas caroling at area nursing homes. James and Sharon were the Volunteer Donation Canister program directors at the SPCA for several years.
James was a kind man, and generous with his time, talents, and resources. One special memory was of a time he delighted in secretly tucking money into the diaper bag of a young seminary couple who were leading a Messianic worship group.
James was a voracious reader and student of theology and history, particularly in the Jewish roots of Christianity. His library of books is extensive and widely varied. He never met a book he didn’t love (and want to keep)!
James enjoyed a wide range of music. His preference was classical music, and his car radio was always set to WRR Classical radio. The radio station used to give away tickets to concerts and events for correctly answering classical music trivia questions (pre-Google!) and for identifying classical compositions. James and Sharon attended many concerts due to James’ extensive musical knowledge. James started a boys' choir while teaching at St Philips elementary school. Everyone was amazed that “those boys sound just like angels”! He loved Messianic Jewish music also, and for a time, James and Sharon were part of a Messianic singing group for Beth Sar Shalom.
James is preceded in death by his parents and his eldest daughter, Elizabeth Roberson. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, younger daughter Susan Davis, sister Alice Ann Thomas (husband Tim), brothers Tom Davis (wife Susan) and John Robert Davis (wife Kathy) and a number of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
James was a good man who “finished the race and kept the faith”. He will be greatly missed.
If you desire to make a memorial contribution in James’ name, please consider:
Sojourner Ministries
https://www.sojournerministries.com
Samaritan Purse – Operation Christmas Child
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
Or any animal charity of your choice
What’s your fondest memory of James?
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Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
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