James Chester Davis

James Chester Davis was born Aug.19, 1937, in Dallas to Margaret Hazel Stuart and Robert Enos Davis. He was the younger brother to Robert Guy. Uncle Jim grew up in Dallas and graduated from Jesuit College Prep in 1955. This community would be a source of lifetime pride and joy with a friendship that sustained him throughout his most difficult years with Milam Joseph, now Monsignor. Jim attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio meeting up with his older brother and pledging the same fraternity. His love of the stage and screen led him to New York City receiving parts in musicals including, “Paint Your Wagon” and “Yankee Doodle Dandy” Upon graduating from the nation’s most prestigious acting school, The Actor’s Studio, founded by Lee Strausberg, Jim was the recipient of an award naming him the most promising theatre student of his class, receiving gold cuff links presented by Helen Hayes. He was cast in small roles in science fiction movies and was a disc jockey in New Mexico. Years of rejection and abuse with alcohol derailed Jim and mental illness took hold after experimental treatments of electric shock therapy. Jim’s parents, then his brother following their passing, became his guardians and care takers. After Bobby, my dad, succumbed to cancer in 2006, his final years were spent at Woodridge NH in Grapevine and finally Garnet Hill in Wylie.

Jim was known for his infectious smile, laughter, love of music and dance, deep roots of his Catholic faith. Throughout his life, it was his religious icons, his lasting memory for catholic prayers and the sacraments that helped him fight his inner demons. Jim loved loud, Hawaiian shirts, Coca Cola, any kind of dessert, news about Jesuit, the Dallas Cowboys and visits from family and clergy. He will be remembered for his child-like joy and spirit of love that emerged following music and prayer.

In the words from St. Faustina, “In difficult moments, I will fix my gaze upon the silent heart of Jesus, stretched upon the cross. And from the exploding flames of His merciful heart, will flow down upon me, power and strength to keep me fighting.”

I thank all of you for your time and presence here today. Please continue to pray for his soul and eternal rest.