James Arthur Davis, succumbs at 86

James Arthur Davis, succumbs at 86

    James Arthur “Jim” Davis, 86, of Tallahassee, Fla., passed at home, surrounded by his loving family on Thursday morning, March 17, 2016. A native of Apopka, Fla., Jim graduated high school and served two years as an Infantryman during the Korean War.

He enrolled at Florida A&M University under the G.I. Bill, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Arts Education and his Master’s in Administration and Supervision. He later served as Department Head for Industrial Arts, Jones High School and as Principal at Taft Elementary and Phyllis Wheatley High.

He then began a long, illustrious career with the Florida Department of Education, serving in several capacities, including Bureau Chief. Jim concluded his career as Executive Assistant to the President of Florida A&M, serving as the University’s official representative (lobbyist) for governmental relations and legislative affairs.

He was well-known as an avid hunter, outdoorsman, horseman, gun collector and environmentalist. Jim’s love and legacy will forever remain in the hearts of his former wife, friend and mother of his children, Winnie Jones Davis; children, Kha White-Davis, Jacqueline Davis, H. Christopher (Denisa) Davis and Regina Davis; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; surrogate sons, Clayton J. Clark and Randy Erving; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A memorial service commemorating the life and times of Jim Davis will be 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the Tallahassee Antique Auto-mobile Museum, 6800 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee, Fla. 32306. Memorial contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to: The Museum of Apopkans, 122 East Fifth Street, Apopka, Fla., 32703 (407-703-1707), Attn: Francina Boykin. Services are entrusted to Tillman of Tallahassee (850-942-1950).