Extracted from The Clarion Ledger (Jackson, MS)
Tuesday, November 25, 2003

James ‘Buddy’ Davis Sr.

Hattiesburg -- James Louis “Buddy” Davis, Sr., 71 died Monday, November 24th at his home in Hattiesburg. Visitation is 5-7 p.m. today at Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home in Hattiesburg. Services are 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with burial in Roseland Park Cemetery.

Mr. Davis was a native of Laurel where he graduated from George S. Gardiner High School as an honor student. He was active in football and track and field, setting the state record in the 100-yard dash.

At the outbreak of the Korean War, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving four years from 1951-1954. During this time, he served on the U.S.S. Rendova in Japanese and Korean waters. After attending electronics school, he was assigned to the U.S. Naval Air Missle Test Center at Point Mugu naval Base in California. While serving there, he was invited to the Olympic trials in Los Angeles for the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, narrowly missing a place on the three-man team.

Accepting a track scholarship, Mr. Davis enrolled in 1954 at the University of Southern Mississippi, from which he graduated in 1958. He was active in the M-Club and Alpha Tau Omega as well as other campus organizations.

After returning to USM, he received his Master's Degree in 1961. He taught at Louisiana College, Pineville, and also taught courses at L.S.U. while completing course work for his doctorate. In 1965, he accepted a position in the Department of Management at USM and retired in 1997 as associate professor. He held membership in many professional organizations and was faculty advisor for Alpha Tau Omega and for SAM, a student organization for management majors. He was a member of the M-Club Alumni Association and the Eagle Club and served a term on the Alumni Board. Mr. Davis was a long-time director of the Small Business Institute. As a business consultant in Management and Organizational Development, he conducted many seminars and workshops.

He enjoyed golf and tennis. His participation in Senior Olympics at the state level won him many gold, silver and bronze medals in the 100 meters, javelin throw, and long jump. He won a place in the National Senior Olympics in San Antonio, Texas, and qualified for nationals in other locations.

Mr. Davis was a member of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Elks Club.

He is survived by his wife, Jonie Newton Davis; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Denise Lauderdale Davis of Ridgeland and Michael and Jane Traylor Davis of Asheville, North Carolina; one daughter, Misty Davis of Brandon; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Gay and Benjamin Morgan and Libby and Charles Richter, all of Laurel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J.L. and Claudia Cooley Davis of Laurel, and one brother, Ronny Davis of Conroe, Texas.

Rev. Clint Gill and Rev. Phillip Heidelberg will officiate the services.

Pallbearers will be Whitye Miller, Bobby Hugh Herring, Fred Wansley, Malcolm English, Sonny Smith and Frank Carlton.

The family would like to express deep appreciation to Forrest General Home Care Hospice; University Medical Center in Jackson; NeuroScience Center in Hattiesburg. The family is very grateful for the support of many friends and neighbors.

If desired, remembrances may be made to Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation, Inc., in 843 North Cleveland-Massillon Road, Suite 7A, P.O. Box 5312, Akron, OH 44333.