James Blanton Davis

James was born February 19, 1942 in Albany, Georgia. He was the son of the late Floyd Edwin Davis and Sara Elizabeth Fincher Davis. He grew up in the small town of Doerun, Georgia where his first jobs were cutting grass, delivering newspapers and working in his father’s hardware store. He was a graduate of the University of Georgia obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in 1967 and a Masters in Marketing in 1972. James held several managerial positions in his career before opening his own specialty accounts payable auditing firm JB Davis Associates in 1980. In 1992, he became a Data Manager for Howard Shultz & Associates before retiring in 2001.

Over the course of his life, James was President of the Georgia 4H Club, he was a member of the Future Farmers of America, the Lions Club and Indian Guides as well as coaching little league soccer. In his spare time, he was an accomplished woodworker making fine furniture and toys. He was a voracious reader of novels, history and the daily newspaper. In his early adult years, he enjoyed photography, bowling, roller coasters and was a trick water skier. He will most be remembered for his keen story telling ability, humorous one-liners and the way he worshiped each of his grandchildren. James was happiest when at least one of his grandbabies was piled up in his lap or playing nearby. He always had a ready hug for his children and grandchildren upon arrival and departure.

He is survived by his spouse, Sandra Anglin Davis of Jacksonville, Florida; daughter Nancy Davis Spampinato of St Johns, Florida; daughter Karen Davis Cates and son-in-law Bobby Cates of Jacksonville, Florida; son Jason Blanton Davis of Jacksonville, Florida; and son Adam Thomas Davis and daughter-in-law Meghan McAuley Davis of Jacksonville, Florida; his grandchildren Jordyn McKenna Davis, Collin Davis Cates, Mya Blanton Davis, Skylar Danielle Cates and Barrett James Davis; and two brothers Edwin Floyd Davis, Jr. of Birmingham, Alabama and Joseph Alfred Davis of Thomasville, Georgia.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 27th at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32223.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgmandarin.com for the Davis family.