James (Jim) Alford Davis born in Menard County on November 14, 1929 passed this life on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.
Jim lived at the Fritz Wilhelm Ranch in Menard County as a young child and his educational career began at the Clear Creek School and Waddell School in Menard County, both one room schoolhouses. As a high school freshman he was sent to Concordia School for Boys (now Concordia Lutheran College) in Austin by his great aunt Clara Wilhelm Wilkinson where he met the school master and his mentor George W. Beto. After high school he moved to Houston and graduated from the University of Houston in 1952. While attending the University of Houston he met many of his lifelong friends and was elected Student Body President. Upon completion of College, he was strongly encouraged by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to join the U. S. Army where he served state side for two years, rising to the rank of Sergeant. Thinking a military career was not in his best interest, he returned to Houston to attend law school at the University of Houston. While in law school, in 1956, he married Nancy Helen Hall (eldest daughter of Fred and Martha Hall of Eden).
Jim always talked about that year and said, ”1956 was the busiest year of my life; I got married, got a full-time job, bought our first home, started attending law school at night and had our first child.” Upon passing the State Bar and becoming a licensed attorney, his employer, Shell Oil Company moved Jim to Shell Pipe Line Company where he worked until his retirement in 1991. He had a rather noteworthy career with Shell, well respected as a man of integrity among his co-workers and peers in the industry. In addition to his duties at Shell Pipe Line, he was one of twelve individuals worldwide who had power of attorney for the parent, multinational company Royal Dutch Shell. Upon his retirement, he moved back to Menard in 1991 and began ranching full-time with his brother and best friend, Richard W. (Dick) Davis of San Angelo. He and Dick developed a quality commercial herd of Brangus cattle which was a great source of pride to both of them. Upon Dick’s passing, he and Nancy owned and operated the Dry Creek Ranch in northern Menard and southern Concho counties where they raised cattle, sheep and goats. They lived on the ranch until 2013, at which time they moved into Menard. In addition to his ranching activities, Jim was active in Menard County, serving on a variety of boards as well as being a member of the Menard Businessmen. Jim was also a member of the Grace Lutheran Church.
The greatest source of pride in Jim’s life was his family including his wife Nancy Hall Davis, daughter Joanne Davis Starr whom he affectionately referred to as his Gretchen Girl (deceased) and husband, Tommy of Houston, and sons, Wm. Keith Davis and wife, Karen of San Angelo, Charles Melvin Davis and wife, Colleen of Abilene, John Edward Davis and wife, Jayne of Georgetown, Christopher Lee Davis of Llano (deceased), and his grandchildren, Danielle Faye Davis (deceased 1985), Diana Davis Moreland and husband, West of San Angelo, Luke William Davis and wife, Camille of Menard, Colette Davis Gulsby and husband, Clark of Fort Worth, Philip Charles Davis and fiancé, Anna Carroll of Dallas, Nicholas Edward Davis and fiancé, Vianka Barboza of Dallas, Reagan Edward Davis and wife, Victoria of Clear Lake, Samuel Frederic Davis of Austin, Gaston Costner Davis and wife, Kathryn of Fort Worth, Claire Marie Johnson and husband, Erik of College Station, and Michael James Hasson and wife, Haley of Houston. Jim is also survived by his great grandchildren, Cora Faye Moreland, Landry Sage Moreland, Brooks Edward Davis, Nash Baine Johnson, Ike William Davis, Audrey Noelle Davis, Grady James Davis and Crosby Davis Johnson. Jim is also survived by special in-laws Judy Black Hall, Ed and wife, Sue Hall, Diane and husband, Leland Eaton and David and wife, Donna Hall, and Nancy Wilson Davis. Wayne Porter and Tony Hall who predeceased him were special brother-in-laws. Jim is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Jim’s mother was Victoria Louise "Dickie" Wilhelm Davis (March 27, 1997) of Menard who was known in Menard for her cooking skills including her “Sweet and Hot” and father was Alford Joseph Davis (April 11, 1983) of Houston. Two siblings of Jim's predeceased him, Richard W. (Dick) Davis (May 8, 1996), and Betty Jo Davis Porter (May 13, 1988). Jim is also survived by his sister Vicki Lou Ray of Fair Oaks Ranch and Dick’s brother, Frank A. Davis of Kerrville.
Jim spent several years writing his autobiography and completed it in the spring of 2007. It was a limited edition about events in his life which made an interesting read for the family. Jim's closing remarks has special meaning to the family, with those being as follows: "Some of the 'wisdom' I frequently provided the grandchildren will not be attached (to his biography) as much of it will no longer be socially acceptable. Nevertheless, both they and I know I never gave any of our children or grandchildren any bad advice." "Charley asked me recently how I wanted to be remembered and I didn't have a ready answer. Someone else will have to write that story. Some of the friends of our children have referred to me as being a 'mentor' that pleased me and, if true, I hope I served them well." "Life has been good; remember IT DIDN'T JUST HAPPEN. And, for the most part, it has been a fun run." Dad, over the years you did give a lot of advice and as we have grown older, we now realize it was good, sound and wise advice. Yes, you did serve as a mentor, not only to our friends but also to your children and grandchildren. Yes, Pappy we did well, and, yes, it didn’t just happen.
A deep appreciation for Jim’s caregivers, who are Paula Kothmann, Anna Hernandez, Rosemary Gonzales and P.K. Deavens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Grace Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 715, Menard, Texas 76859 or a charity of your choice.
Visitation was held Friday, December 3, 2021 at Heritage Funeral Home in Menard between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. Funeral services were at Grace Lutheran Church in Menard on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. with burial following at Rest Haven Cemetery in Menard.
Pallbearers were Jim's grandsons, Luke Davis, Philip Davis, Nicholas Davis, Reagan Davis, Samuel Davis, Gaston Davis and Michael Hasson.
Arrangements are entrusted to Heritage Funeral Home of Menard.
Please view Mr. Davis' online memorial at www.heritagefuneralhomes.com