Dr. Leo Coleman Davis

Irrepressibly positive. Infectiously genuine. Infinitely curious. Beloved husband, father, and brother, Dr. Leo C. Davis passed away on Saturday, November 26th, 2022. Born in Jacksonville in 1943, Leo attended Southside Grammar School and Landon, then a high school. In his youth, he had many adventures as one of only a few identical twins in Jacksonville at the time. Along with his brother Stephen, he acted at the Little Theater in San Marco, was in Golden Gloves and the Junior Olympics for swimming. Jacksonville was a small town back then, and it wasn’t uncommon for Leo and Stephen to hitch a ride downtown with then-Mayor Haden Burns. He also cherished his younger sister Susan. Even into adulthood, they spoke every day by phone.

Leo attended the University of Florida as an undergrad and was a member of Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity. He attended Florida State for graduate school and Howard University for Dental School. At the 1964 World’s Fair in New York, he met the love of his life, Joanne Cramer. The two fell in love and married. Leo then joined the Air Force as a captain, proudly serving his country. After honorably serving in the military, Leo and Joanne settled back in Jacksonville where Leo began his career. His practice, The Center For Cosmetic Dentistry, served generations of patients. Nothing made him prouder than giving patients who were previously embarrassed to smile, a beautiful new smile they could share with those they loved. He was known for his incredibly warm and caring nature, always checking on patients after work was performed and always making himself available to help days, nights, weekends, and holidays. His patients included several celebrities who were in town performing at The Alhambra Dinner Theater.

Dr. Davis lectured on dentistry internationally in France, China, Italy, Israel, and England. His lecture at the Jewish Dental Society in London raised enough money to donate an ambulance in Israel.

Even with his professional success, Leo’s greatest joy was his family. Leo and Joanne raised four children, Rich (Nancy), Jeff (Lesley), Brian (Amy) and Mary (Jeremy). Leo also cherished his seven grandchildren and was delighted to learn about an eighth coming in February of 2023.

In his decades as a father and grandfather, he almost never missed a single recital, game or performance. After retiring, he became his wife’s “Unpaid Administrative Assistant” driving her to schools across North Florida for her job as Supervisor of World Languages for Duval County Public Schools. Leo’s romantic nature was legendary. He hand-illustrated a new love-themed greeting card almost every day for Joanne. Leo loved humor, art, music, traveling all over the world, and giving back to his community.

Whenever you asked Leo Davis how he was doing, he never said, “Ok” or “Fine” or “Not Bad.” His trademark expression was to exclaim back, “Gggrrreeeaaattt!” He embraced every day with excitement, passion, positivity, love, and laughter. He will be missed by everyone whose lives he touched. And the smiles he created will continue to grace our community for generations.

A graveside service for Leo will be held Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM at New Center Memorial Park Cemetery, 43rd and Liberty Streets, Jacksonville, FL 32206.

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