John William Davis Sr.

Dr. John W. Davis was born on August 28, 1923 in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from Adamson High School during the Great Depression and was voted "Most Likely to Succeed." At the age of 19, after one year of college and while working as a stock clerk, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was later commissioned as an officer. Dr. Davis trained as a combat cargo pilot and flew in the China Burman India (CBI) theater in World War II from June 3, 1944 to February 10, 1945, logging over 800 combat hours and 203 combat missions in a C-47 military transport aircraft!

After completing his tour of duty, Dr. Davis used his G.I. Bill to attend optometry school. He became a Doctor of Optometry in Dallas, Texas, where he also served as the Chairman of the Texas State Board of Optometry for eight years. Late in his career, he took an exam offered by the State of Texas that granted licensure for optometrists to prescribe certain types of medicine- he graduated number one in the state!

He was a consummate optimist driven to succeed despite experiencing the devastation of the Great Depression, which stole the American dream from his parents. Dr. Davis never took his family, friends, patients, or profession for granted and he strove to be the best he could at every turn in life. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, spending time in his Colorado vacation home, and working on his farm near Wills Point, Texas. He enjoyed playing to win, whether at pick-up basketball on the driveway, flag football at the farm, ping pong, pool, golfing or playing cards at Northwood Club.

He married the beautiful love of his life, Jennifer Cecelia Sturm, of Dallas, Texas, in 1943 while on leave from basic training. They were married one month shy of 66 years before her death in 2009. He was always there for his family and supportive in every way.

Dr. Davis is survived by his daughter, Diana M. Gump and her spouse, Richard A. Gump, Jr., of Dallas Texas; his daughter, Patricia A. Davis and her spouse, Deborah Kay Elliott, of Wimberley, Texas; his son, John W. Davis, Jr. and his spouse, Pam Davis, of Plano, Texas; his granddaughter, Jennifer A. Gump of Dallas, Texas; his grandson, Travis P. Gump and his spouse, Cyndi Gump, of Plano, Texas and one great-grandchild, Haleigh Gump, of Plano, Texas.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Davis' caregiver, Ms. Na Gamba Slyde (Nana) for the loving care she provided to him so that he could remain in his home, where he wanted to be. The family would also like to thank the many doctors, nurses and the very special caregivers of Faith Presbyterian Hospice for the care they provided to Dr. Davis.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 11:00am at Calvary Hill Cemetery- North Chapel, located at 3235 Lombardy Ln., Dallas, Texas 75220. Monsignor Milam Joseph will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, the SPCA of Texas or a charity of your choice.