JAMES DAVIS, JR. was born in Gilmer, Texas on October 21, 1945 to James Davis, Sr. and Jessie Mae (Carr) Hoskins. He died at home Monday, June 10, 2013.
He grew up mostly in Longview, Texas. At a very young age he learned to work hard to help his family by picking many types of berries, peas, beans and cotton. He learned to play dominoes as a young boy being taught by a blind man which he continued as an adult teaching the younger generation. He enjoyed playing sports during his school years. After graduation from Mary Womack High School in 1963.
In 1969 Jim married his first wife, Alberta (Hudson) Davis and they had two daughters, Hershely Angela Davis, born in 1971 and Romone Najama Davis born in 1973. Unfortunately the marriage ended in divorce.
Jim worked as an operating room technologist in several states and had many experiences at a time when parts of our country were not very accepting of people of color, but he always managed to rise above it. He performed in a way that made his family proud.
He moved to the state of Washington in 1977 where he continued to work in many hospitals. In 1980 at Riverton Hospital Jim met his present wife, Sharon Louise Byrum and her daughter Jennifer. They were married December 18, 1982 in Kent, Washington.
Previous to the marriage Jim reenlisted and became an Army Reservist. He was assigned to Madigan Hospital Fort Lewis. He was able to achieve "First Sergeant status. Jim retired from the military in 1999 with twenty years of service to his country under his belt.
In the 90's Jim had an opportunity to start a temporary agency that would supply staff for operating rooms and doctors offices. He enjoyed working for himself until 2001 when he experienced a stroke that kept him from continuing in the field that he truly loved.
Jim had a heart for children all his life and since he couldn't work anymore, he volunteered at Neely O'Brien Elementary listening to kids read. He was always appreciated by the staff and occasionally we will see many of the students he helped and they always say how much they enjoyed their time with him.
Jim had a great sense of humor and could weave a story that delighted all who heard it. He loved to cook and was known for his "Jeff Davis" pies, black bottom cupcakes, sweet potato pie and "Mrs. Field's cookies. He spent time serving in church, playing cards with friends, having coffee with his friends sharing war experiences and sports games. He loved watching old westerns, war pictures, and occasionally sci-fi movies.
But most of all he enjoyed being with family and "making memories". He enjoyed talking on the phone to relatives in Texas and there were a few times when he used all his minutes on his phone and we would have to increase them. He loved his visits to Texas but considered his home to be in Kent, Washington.
Jim was generous and a simple thank you was enough for any act of kindness. He couldn't throw anything out that had sentimental value like the Italian coin purse given to him that no longer had a design on it and a hole in it. He continued to use it until the end. He was known for his white terry cloth hat and was quite disgruntled when we could only find ones made of canvas. He was the only man we know of that had his blue jeans starched and which had a perfect crease in them.
He drove a 1968 red VW super beetle that he had bought for his wife, Sharon. She decided it was smelly and that shifting gears wasn't as fun as she remembered. It was amusing to see this 6'2" man unfold himself from "the bug". It was a sad day when he couldn't drive it anymore because of his health.
He wasn't into change and the girls often tell the story about when he drove up to the Jack in the Box and ordered a "Folgers". The poor kid taking the order had no clue what a "Folgers" was and after several requests by Jim he had to get the manager involved. Jim did settle for the Seattle's Best that they had.
In 2006 Jim was diagnosed with a disease called Myelofibrosis which is a rare blood cancer. He was always optimistic about life so he didn't let that bother him. He continued to enjoy traveling always appreciating the wonderful earth God created for us. In April 2013 he had a small stroke, became more anemic and went into a crisis that ended with his death at home surrounded by his loving wife and daughters. Jim loved God and showed it through his many acts of kindness and compassion.
He is survived by his wife Sharon, daughter Angela, daughter Romone, and step-daughter Jennifer (Jeremie) Marrow. Also sister Mary (Timothy) Lockett, brothers Pete (Portia) Young, Charlie (Karen) Young, Fred Hoskins, Eric Davis, and many family and friends. He is preceded in death by his brothers John Davis and Willie Hue Bryant.
Written by his loving wife Sharon Davis.
He grew up mostly in Longview, Texas. At a very young age he learned to work hard to help his family by picking many types of berries, peas, beans and cotton. He learned to play dominoes as a young boy being taught by a blind man which he continued as an adult teaching the younger generation. He enjoyed playing sports during his school years. After graduation from Mary Womack High School in 1963.
In 1969 Jim married his first wife, Alberta (Hudson) Davis and they had two daughters, Hershely Angela Davis, born in 1971 and Romone Najama Davis born in 1973. Unfortunately the marriage ended in divorce.
Jim worked as an operating room technologist in several states and had many experiences at a time when parts of our country were not very accepting of people of color, but he always managed to rise above it. He performed in a way that made his family proud.
He moved to the state of Washington in 1977 where he continued to work in many hospitals. In 1980 at Riverton Hospital Jim met his present wife, Sharon Louise Byrum and her daughter Jennifer. They were married December 18, 1982 in Kent, Washington.
Previous to the marriage Jim reenlisted and became an Army Reservist. He was assigned to Madigan Hospital Fort Lewis. He was able to achieve "First Sergeant status. Jim retired from the military in 1999 with twenty years of service to his country under his belt.
In the 90's Jim had an opportunity to start a temporary agency that would supply staff for operating rooms and doctors offices. He enjoyed working for himself until 2001 when he experienced a stroke that kept him from continuing in the field that he truly loved.
Jim had a heart for children all his life and since he couldn't work anymore, he volunteered at Neely O'Brien Elementary listening to kids read. He was always appreciated by the staff and occasionally we will see many of the students he helped and they always say how much they enjoyed their time with him.
Jim had a great sense of humor and could weave a story that delighted all who heard it. He loved to cook and was known for his "Jeff Davis" pies, black bottom cupcakes, sweet potato pie and "Mrs. Field's cookies. He spent time serving in church, playing cards with friends, having coffee with his friends sharing war experiences and sports games. He loved watching old westerns, war pictures, and occasionally sci-fi movies.
But most of all he enjoyed being with family and "making memories". He enjoyed talking on the phone to relatives in Texas and there were a few times when he used all his minutes on his phone and we would have to increase them. He loved his visits to Texas but considered his home to be in Kent, Washington.
Jim was generous and a simple thank you was enough for any act of kindness. He couldn't throw anything out that had sentimental value like the Italian coin purse given to him that no longer had a design on it and a hole in it. He continued to use it until the end. He was known for his white terry cloth hat and was quite disgruntled when we could only find ones made of canvas. He was the only man we know of that had his blue jeans starched and which had a perfect crease in them.
He drove a 1968 red VW super beetle that he had bought for his wife, Sharon. She decided it was smelly and that shifting gears wasn't as fun as she remembered. It was amusing to see this 6'2" man unfold himself from "the bug". It was a sad day when he couldn't drive it anymore because of his health.
He wasn't into change and the girls often tell the story about when he drove up to the Jack in the Box and ordered a "Folgers". The poor kid taking the order had no clue what a "Folgers" was and after several requests by Jim he had to get the manager involved. Jim did settle for the Seattle's Best that they had.
In 2006 Jim was diagnosed with a disease called Myelofibrosis which is a rare blood cancer. He was always optimistic about life so he didn't let that bother him. He continued to enjoy traveling always appreciating the wonderful earth God created for us. In April 2013 he had a small stroke, became more anemic and went into a crisis that ended with his death at home surrounded by his loving wife and daughters. Jim loved God and showed it through his many acts of kindness and compassion.
He is survived by his wife Sharon, daughter Angela, daughter Romone, and step-daughter Jennifer (Jeremie) Marrow. Also sister Mary (Timothy) Lockett, brothers Pete (Portia) Young, Charlie (Karen) Young, Fred Hoskins, Eric Davis, and many family and friends. He is preceded in death by his brothers John Davis and Willie Hue Bryant.
Written by his loving wife Sharon Davis.
JAMES DAVIS, JR. was born in Gilmer, Texas on October 21, 1945 to James Davis, Sr. and Jessie Mae (Carr) Hoskins. He died at home Monday, June 10, 2013.
He grew up mostly in Longview, Texas. At a very young age he learned to work hard to help his family by picking many types of berries, peas, beans and cotton. He learned to play dominoes as a young boy being taught by a blind man which he continued as an adult teaching the younger generation. He enjoyed playing sports during his school years. After graduation from Mary Womack High School in 1963.
In 1969 Jim married his first wife, Alberta (Hudson) Davis and they had two daughters, Hershely Angela Davis, born in 1971 and Romone Najama Davis born in 1973. Unfortunately the marriage ended in divorce.
Jim worked as an operating room technologist in several states and had many experiences at a time when parts of our country were not very accepting of people of color, but he always managed to rise above it. He performed in a way that made his family proud.
He moved to the state of Washington in 1977 where he continued to work in many hospitals. In 1980 at Riverton Hospital Jim met his present wife, Sharon Louise Byrum and her daughter Jennifer. They were married December 18, 1982 in Kent, Washington.
Previous to the marriage Jim reenlisted and became an Army Reservist. He was assigned to Madigan Hospital Fort Lewis. He was able to achieve "First Sergeant status. Jim retired from the military in 1999 with twenty years of service to his country under his belt.
In the 90's Jim had an opportunity to start a temporary agency that would supply staff for operating rooms and doctors offices. He enjoyed working for himself until 2001 when he experienced a stroke that kept him from continuing in the field that he truly loved.
Jim had a heart for children all his life and since he couldn't work anymore, he volunteered at Neely O'Brien Elementary listening to kids read. He was always appreciated by the staff and occasionally we will see many of the students he helped and they always say how much they enjoyed their time with him.
Jim had a great sense of humor and could weave a story that delighted all who heard it. He loved to cook and was known for his "Jeff Davis" pies, black bottom cupcakes, sweet potato pie and "Mrs. Field's cookies. He spent time serving in church, playing cards with friends, having coffee with his friends sharing war experiences and sports games. He loved watching old westerns, war pictures, and occasionally sci-fi movies.
But most of all he enjoyed being with family and "making memories". He enjoyed talking on the phone to relatives in Texas and there were a few times when he used all his minutes on his phone and we would have to increase them. He loved his visits to Texas but considered his home to be in Kent, Washington.
Jim was generous and a simple thank you was enough for any act of kindness. He couldn't throw anything out that had sentimental value like the Italian coin purse given to him that no longer had a design on it and a hole in it. He continued to use it until the end. He was known for his white terry cloth hat and was quite disgruntled when we could only find ones made of canvas. He was the only man we know of that had his blue jeans starched and which had a perfect crease in them.
He drove a 1968 red VW super beetle that he had bought for his wife, Sharon. She decided it was smelly and that shifting gears wasn't as fun as she remembered. It was amusing to see this 6'2" man unfold himself from "the bug". It was a sad day when he couldn't drive it anymore because of his health.
He wasn't into change and the girls often tell the story about when he drove up to the Jack in the Box and ordered a "Folgers". The poor kid taking the order had no clue what a "Folgers" was and after several requests by Jim he had to get the manager involved. Jim did settle for the Seattle's Best that they had.
In 2006 Jim was diagnosed with a disease called Myelofibrosis which is a rare blood cancer. He was always optimistic about life so he didn't let that bother him. He continued to enjoy traveling always appreciating the wonderful earth God created for us. In April 2013 he had a small stroke, became more anemic and went into a crisis that ended with his death at home surrounded by his loving wife and daughters. Jim loved God and showed it through his many acts of kindness and compassion.
He is survived by his wife Sharon, daughter Angela, daughter Romone, and step-daughter Jennifer (Jeremie) Marrow. Also sister Mary (Timothy) Lockett, brothers Pete (Portia) Young, Charlie (Karen) Young, Fred Hoskins, Eric Davis, and many family and friends. He is preceded in death by his brothers John Davis and Willie Hue Bryant.
Written by his loving wife Sharon Davis.
He grew up mostly in Longview, Texas. At a very young age he learned to work hard to help his family by picking many types of berries, peas, beans and cotton. He learned to play dominoes as a young boy being taught by a blind man which he continued as an adult teaching the younger generation. He enjoyed playing sports during his school years. After graduation from Mary Womack High School in 1963.
In 1969 Jim married his first wife, Alberta (Hudson) Davis and they had two daughters, Hershely Angela Davis, born in 1971 and Romone Najama Davis born in 1973. Unfortunately the marriage ended in divorce.
Jim worked as an operating room technologist in several states and had many experiences at a time when parts of our country were not very accepting of people of color, but he always managed to rise above it. He performed in a way that made his family proud.
He moved to the state of Washington in 1977 where he continued to work in many hospitals. In 1980 at Riverton Hospital Jim met his present wife, Sharon Louise Byrum and her daughter Jennifer. They were married December 18, 1982 in Kent, Washington.
Previous to the marriage Jim reenlisted and became an Army Reservist. He was assigned to Madigan Hospital Fort Lewis. He was able to achieve "First Sergeant status. Jim retired from the military in 1999 with twenty years of service to his country under his belt.
In the 90's Jim had an opportunity to start a temporary agency that would supply staff for operating rooms and doctors offices. He enjoyed working for himself until 2001 when he experienced a stroke that kept him from continuing in the field that he truly loved.
Jim had a heart for children all his life and since he couldn't work anymore, he volunteered at Neely O'Brien Elementary listening to kids read. He was always appreciated by the staff and occasionally we will see many of the students he helped and they always say how much they enjoyed their time with him.
Jim had a great sense of humor and could weave a story that delighted all who heard it. He loved to cook and was known for his "Jeff Davis" pies, black bottom cupcakes, sweet potato pie and "Mrs. Field's cookies. He spent time serving in church, playing cards with friends, having coffee with his friends sharing war experiences and sports games. He loved watching old westerns, war pictures, and occasionally sci-fi movies.
But most of all he enjoyed being with family and "making memories". He enjoyed talking on the phone to relatives in Texas and there were a few times when he used all his minutes on his phone and we would have to increase them. He loved his visits to Texas but considered his home to be in Kent, Washington.
Jim was generous and a simple thank you was enough for any act of kindness. He couldn't throw anything out that had sentimental value like the Italian coin purse given to him that no longer had a design on it and a hole in it. He continued to use it until the end. He was known for his white terry cloth hat and was quite disgruntled when we could only find ones made of canvas. He was the only man we know of that had his blue jeans starched and which had a perfect crease in them.
He drove a 1968 red VW super beetle that he had bought for his wife, Sharon. She decided it was smelly and that shifting gears wasn't as fun as she remembered. It was amusing to see this 6'2" man unfold himself from "the bug". It was a sad day when he couldn't drive it anymore because of his health.
He wasn't into change and the girls often tell the story about when he drove up to the Jack in the Box and ordered a "Folgers". The poor kid taking the order had no clue what a "Folgers" was and after several requests by Jim he had to get the manager involved. Jim did settle for the Seattle's Best that they had.
In 2006 Jim was diagnosed with a disease called Myelofibrosis which is a rare blood cancer. He was always optimistic about life so he didn't let that bother him. He continued to enjoy traveling always appreciating the wonderful earth God created for us. In April 2013 he had a small stroke, became more anemic and went into a crisis that ended with his death at home surrounded by his loving wife and daughters. Jim loved God and showed it through his many acts of kindness and compassion.
He is survived by his wife Sharon, daughter Angela, daughter Romone, and step-daughter Jennifer (Jeremie) Marrow. Also sister Mary (Timothy) Lockett, brothers Pete (Portia) Young, Charlie (Karen) Young, Fred Hoskins, Eric Davis, and many family and friends. He is preceded in death by his brothers John Davis and Willie Hue Bryant.
Written by his loving wife Sharon Davis.
