Jim Davis

Oct. 24, 1941 - Aug. 19, 2012

Mr. James Joseph Davis, 70, of Statesville, passed away on Sunday, August 19, 2012, at Gordon Hospice House after a long illness. He was born October 24, 1941 in Terre Haute, Indiana to the late Lee and Helen Smith Davis. Jim was educated in the Vigo County, Indiana schools and graduated from Gerstmeyer High School in 1960. After high school graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served our country until 1965. He married the former Marianne Sullivan on January 13, 1963. To this union, five children were born. They ultimately separated and Jim moved to Florida. In 1983, he moved to North Carolina where he met and married the former Margaret Lynne Miller Gray. In North Carolina, he served in the NC Division of Motor Vehicles until his retirement in 1999. He then worked for Lake Norman Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge until his full retirement in 2003. In later years, he became an active member of the Iredell County Marine Corps League Detachment 1097. He served several years as a member of their Honor Guard. He is survived by his five children, Katharine Rene Olson, Michael Allen Davis (Sally), Gregory Lee Davis (Valerie), Michele Anne Federle (Mark) and Mark Anthony Davis (Beth); step-son, Harold Gray; fifteen grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and brother, Jack A. Davis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a step-daughter, Jeanette Gray Jerome, and a step-granddaughter, Katie Suzanne Jerome. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 24, 2012 in the Troutman Historical Cemetery with the Rev. Frank Turner officiating. The family will receive friends in the cemetery from 10:30-11:00 prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Iredell County Marine Corps League Detachment 1097, Toys for Tots Campaign, P.O. Box 727, Attn: Luca Catrone, Troutman, NC 28166 or Gordon Hospice House, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.