James David Davis

Jim’s best friend was his son, James. He loved him with every ounce of his being. They played together all his life. James married a beautiful woman, Maggie Lara, who he also adored. Their two boys, Trip (James David Davis III) and Jack (Jonathon Douglas Davis) will grow up hearing all the stories about Pap. They will know Pap, even though he is not here. Trip loved having lollipop parties with Pap.

Jim loved his family, his parents, Paul and Muriel Davis; his brothers, Paul Davis and wife, Tricia, and Larry Davis and wife, Barbara; his sister, Gloria Sprague and husband, Bill; and brother-in-law, Mike Reid.

He dearly loved his wife of 12 years, Milissa Davis. He also cared deeply for her son, Thomas Smith his wife, Kristyn, and their sweet girl, Elliot.

Jim was always ready to help his mother-in-law, Cordelia Reid, whenever she needed him, especially to mow the yard.

Jim was also blessed to have terrific nieces, nephews, a great-niece, and great-nephews.

Jim was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jan. 24, 1955. The family moved to Houston when he was seven.

Jim went to college at Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches. He studied agriculture. After graduation, he moved to Elgin to start his own business and where he met and married Lori Miller.

He moved to Lexington for a few years to care for his mother. After she passed, he and his wife, Milissa, stayed. They have a supportive caring church family at the Methodist Church.

Jim and Milissa moved back to Elgin almost a year before his passing.

Horticulture was Jim’s career. He built Davis Plant Farm in Elgin with the help of his father.

Jim enjoyed life and was passionate about sailing and he loved “all boats.” He sailed on Lake Travis, fished in the Gulf and water skied. A canoe trip down the Devil’s River always created great adventures. He loved surfing and the beach, especially the Bahamas. He skied the snowy slopes in the winter. Traveling was such a great adventure for him. He wanted to see it all, but wherever he went, it had to have a casino. “It’s funner to win,” he would say. If the money held out, he could play craps for hours. He was also quite a baseball player and golfer. He was a very enthusiastic parent at his son’s soccer games and he even became a referee.

Though Jim walked through the valley of the darkness of the disease, MSA, he did not fear its evilness. His smile was inspiring to his church family, friends and therapist while he pushed through the challenges he faced. He lost the battle with MSA on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. He participated in as many clinical trials as he could always saying, “at least I am helping someone.”

In lieu of flowers, please help continue the research for a cure by giving to the MSA Coalition in honor of Jim at https://www.multiplesystematrophy.org/tag/donate.

Visitation will be held at Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home on Friday, Nov. 11, from 6 to 8p.m.

Arrangements entrusted to Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home.