John C. “Johnny” Davis, Sr., 73, of Fayetteville, Ga., passed away peacefully at his home Wednesday, September 26, 2012, with his family by his side.
John was born June 16, 1939 in Birmingham, Ala. Growing up as an avid sports fan, John played baseball at Hewitt-Trussville High School and later played for the U.S. Air Force, where he served from 1960 to 1966 and traveled the world from Okinawa, Japan to Anchorage, Alaska.
After his tour in the U.S. Air Force, he traveled to Michigan for work, where he met the love of his life and wife of 43 years, Doris Ann Lanphear. They were married October 14,1969, in Ypsilanti, Mich. They later moved to the Atlanta area and eventually settled in Fayetteville, Ga., where they purchased their first home, a property that had suffered a fire – but John and Doris never shied away from a project. The two rebuilt their house from the ground up, and still enjoyed renovating and gardening until his last days.
John had a strong passion for problem solving, which fueled his love for mechanical troubleshooting, and he worked his entire life in the airline industry as an aircraft mechanic/inspector with several companies including Zantop, Shamrock Airlines, Southern Airways/Northwest Airlines and most recently Hale Aircraft. John also enjoyed many hands-on activities, even crafting handmade games to enjoy with friends and family while drinking a beer or two. A lover of the laid-back, John was an amicable and well-liked friend to many, and he and Doris were no stranger to the dance floor.
While we mourn the loss of our beloved John, we know we have been blessed with a lifetime of memories.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Thelma “Inez” Davis and Wyatt Davis, Sr., and his brother Larry Davis.
John is survived by his wife Doris and children, daughter Cristy Davis of Atlanta, Ga., and son John C. Davis, Jr. & daughter-in-law Jenny Davis of Atlanta, Ga.; sister Betty (Archie) McCay, Birmingham, Ala.; brother Wyatt (Ouida) Davis, Jr., Pascagoula, Miss.; brother Richard “Ricky” (Cathy) Davis, Springville, Ala.; brother Jerry Davis, Helena, Ala.; brother Ronald “Ronny” (Avis) Davis, Clanton, Ala.; and numerous nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.higginshillcrestchapel.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, Mass. 01202, www.lls.org, or to the charity of your choice.
A family style cookout to celebrate John’s life will be held for friends and family at 4 p.m. Saturday, October 13, 2012, at 1107 Selfridge Rd/Tara Air Field, Hampton, Ga.
Higgins Hillcrest Chapel Funeral Home, Newnan
