James Wilson Davis

Jim was born in St. Louis, Illinois to Flight Officer James Davis and his mother June. James’s father died in action over Leyte Island in 1944. At the age of 5, Jim was presented with his father’s Military Order of the Purple Heart. Jim graduated from Saint Louis University with a Master of Science in 1969. His thesis was titled The Structure and Petrogenesis of the Knoblick Granite. In addition to the geological specialties of petrology of igneous rocks, paleontology, atomic absorption and x-ray methods and economic geology, Jim also studied philosophy and German language required for his degree at Saint Louis University.

After graduation, Jim went first to Colorado and then to Calgary and worked at Geophoto, which involved satellite interpretation. Next, he worked at Union Oil, where he was part of a team that discovered and developed the Obed Marsh coal deposit near Hinton, Alberta. He later joined Taiga Consultants and travelled the world to work on various mining projects. Jim also formed Leeward Capital Corp, focusing on several exploration projects. Jim’s work also involved paleontological research, pushing back the time scale of the development of flora and fauna, and contributed to the American Museum of Natural History’s research collection in New York.

Jim loved movies, music, travelling and good food. He had a good sense of humour and loved to tell jokes to everyone he met.

Jim was predeceased by his parents as well as his first wife Joyce. He is lovingly remembered by his wife Terri; his children Erica, Erik, James, Crispin and Jennifer; his grandchildren Jamie, Skye, Oliver and William; as well as his sisters Marilyn and Susie.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass for Jim, held at Ascension Parish, 1100 Berkshire Blvd NW, Calgary, on January 3rd, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.