John Michael Davis

John Michael Davis, loving husband of Christie Carol Ford Davis, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and loyal friend passed away on January 3, 2022 at 77 years surrounded by loved ones after a long and valiant battle with cancer.

John was born on November 29, 1944 in Houston, Texas to Mary Jane Bavouset and John A. Davis. As the oldest of five sons, John enjoyed a lively childhood and spent many weekends and summers at his parent’s farm near Giddings, Texas. There he learned to ride horses, fish, bird hunt and even build barb wire fences. This love of the outdoors and his hard work on the farm served John well as he was an early riser with a strong work ethic. After playing varsity football and working part-time jobs while attending high school, John attended and graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelors of Business Administration in finance.

John began his career in the life insurance business at Connecticut General Life. His dream was to own his own company, so he started a life insurance brokerage firm which grew to become Insurance Designers of America, one of the largest insurance marketing organizations in the United States.

John received the Chartered Life Underwriting designation and earned the Financial Counseling Certificate from The American College. He was a President of the Dallas Chapter of Chartered Life Underwriters and was the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Dallas Estate Planning Council. John was the first recipient of the Dallas Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals Leadership Award and was recognized for his leadership in the industry with the prestigious American Award, presented by Lincoln Financial.

John was passionate about his work, but it was his contributions to the community and the people he met along the way of which he was most proud. He was active in civic affairs and served as the President of the East Dallas YMCA, a member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan YMCA and President of the Exchange Club of East Dallas, which helps public school children in need. John was passionate about politics and served as the financial director and campaign fundraiser for U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions.

John was a member of Highland Park United Methodist Church and served as the President of his Sunday school class, In His Steps, which was led by Billy Abraham. John and Christie enjoyed traveling with their Sunday school class and most recently explored the Danube River from Budapest and Prague to Warsaw, with historical and related Biblical references provided by Billy Abraham.

John was preceded in death by his parents Mary Jane and John A. Davis. John’s survivors include his wife Christie Carol Ford Davis of Hugo, Oklahoma; four children, John Michael Davis, Jr. and his wife Angel Davis of Terrell, TX, Shannon Davis Henderson and her husband William “Todd” Henderson of Dallas, TX, Tyler Robinson Davis and his wife Juliet Davis of Austin, TX and Sarah Katherine Davis Zavala and her husband John Zavala of Dallas, TX; four brothers, Dan Davis, Tom Davis, Steve Davis, Bill Davis; and twelve grandchildren Caitlin, Meagan and Michael Davis, William, Charlotte, Camille and Elise Henderson, Katherine and Allison Davis, and Victoria, O’Neill and Rebecca Zavala. John relished in being called “Papa” and spending time with his grandchildren making s’mores and attending their recitals and sporting events.

John enjoyed couples tennis and later, golf at Lakewood Country Club and could often be found holding court over lunch in the Men’s Card Room. John enjoyed fine wines and visiting the vineyards from where they came. This enthusiasm led him to be inducted into the Commanderie de Bordeaux. John and Christie were avid global travelers with their family and friends.

Serving as pallbearers are Dan Davis, Tom Davis, Steve Davis, Bill Davis, John Davis, Jr., Tyler Davis, Todd Henderson, John Zavala, Michael Davis, William Henderson and O’Neill Zavala.

A Christian funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, January 13th at Highland Park United Methodist Church with a burial service following at Cox Cemetery overlooking White Rock Lake.

John’s family would like to thank his many caring friends, especially the members of In His Steps Bible Class at Highland Park United Methodist Church, the weekly Lakewood quarantine group, the garage group and numerous neighbors and friends who enriched his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made in John's name to www.hpumc.org/give, or to www.exchangeclubofeast dallas.org.