Michael "Mike" Joseph Davis, age 71, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, AL, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 7, 1948, in Mobile, AL to George A. Davis Jr. and Eunice Mae (Finch) Davis and was the youngest of four brothers. He was a 1966 graduate of Montgomery Catholic High School and went on to graduate with a degree in Business from the University of South Alabama. Mike served honorably in the Alabama National Guard from 1967 to 1973 where he achieved the rank of Sergeant and was awarded the Sharpshooter Rifle Badge.
On April 22, 1972, Mike married the love of his life, the former Barbara Ann “Choo-Choo” Kendall, at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Mike and Choo-Choo have two devoted children, son Michael Joseph Davis II, and daughter Jennifer Leah Davis Allbritain.
Mike started his professional career with Wire Rope & Fittings, Inc. However, Mike was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and founded Wire Rope & Rigging, Inc., an industrial, logging, marine and construction supply company which he successfully owned and operated for 26 years until being acquired by CSA Services, a division of Cooper/T. Smith Corporation. From 2004 until his retirement in 2018, Mike worked as General Manager of CSA Services. He truly loved his work and the many friendships forged through his professional pursuits.
For years, his company sponsored Little League baseball at Westside Park. His ‘most happy’ place in the world was the Tweety Davis Yacht Club at Mullet Point on Mobile Bay where he enjoyed boating with his family, shrimping, cutting grass, the occasional cold beer, watching sunsets and spending time with family and friends on the wharf. Mike was a gentle soul, a loving, faithful and devoted Catholic, husband, father and grandfather. He was also a thoughtful, generous and caring friend to many.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years Choo-Choo, son Michael (Karen) Davis, daughter Jennifer (Russell) Allbritain; seven grandchildren, Meredith Claire Davis, Davis William Allbritain, Harris Russell Allbritain, Alexandra Talley Griffin, Lawrence Lyle Griffin, Abigail Taylor Griffin and Anna Carolyn Griffin; brother, John Richard “Jack” (Denese) Davis; uncle, Corbett Davis Sr. of Gulf Breeze, FL, many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends too numerous to count. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, and brother George A. Davis III.
Mike was a man of integrity who drew strength, great comfort and joy living a purpose-filled life devoted to Christ. He was a member of the Men of St. Joseph and was a frequent volunteer at JH Outback Mobile where he offered his testimony and inspired others detailing his faith journey and ten-year battle with multiple myeloma.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 16, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. followed immediately by Mass of Christian Burial at Little Flower Catholic Church located at 2053 Government Street, Mobile, AL. 36606. Interment will follow at Catholic Cemetery of Mobile.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to JH Outback Mobile Men of St. Joseph, 402 Office Park Drive, Suite 310, Birmingham, AL. 35223 or Myeloma Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), 4301 West Markham Street #816, Little Rock, AK. 72205