Dr. James T. "Jim" Davis

Dr. James T. "Jim" Davis, 87, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 27, 2015. Dr. Davis was a lifelong educator, completing 50 years of service in both public and higher education. He was a first generation college graduate, and his interest in education was fostered by two of his high school teachers and his mother. He graduated in 1950 with a B.S. from ETSU, and received an M.A. from Peabody in 1956. He completed his doctorate degree at the University of Tennessee in 1972. He was also a veteran of the Korean War, serving two years in the U.S. Army.

Dr. Davis was an experienced educator, having performed a variety of roles in higher and public education, including Director of Professional Education at Tusculum, Dean of Continuing Education and Special Services at King College, Director of the Kingsport University Center for ETSU, and Assistant Superintendent for the Kingsport City School System. He also served as a faculty member at University of Virginia Southwest Center in Abingdon, Dobyns-Bennett High School, Robinson Junior High, and Hebron High School in Salisbury, Maryland. His teaching career began at Church Hill High School.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Church Hill until it closed in 1999. He served as an Elder and Clerk of Session during his long-time membership in that church. He moved his membership in 1999 to First Presbyterian Church on historic Church Circle in Kingsport, where he remained active as long as he was able.

Dr. Davis has been active in educational and civic causes, including Washington College Academy, Kingsport Retired Teachers, the Tennessee Academy of Science, the American Chemical Society, and Phi Kappa Delta

He was preceded in death in 1989 by his wife of 36 years, Gertrude B. Davis.

Dr. Davis is survived by two daughters, Jamie Davis (Kingsport) and Tammie Davis (Kingsport) as well as two grandsons, Andrew Rader (Bloomington, IN) and Scott Johnson (Kingsport).

Special thanks is expressed to his two caregivers, Evelyn Johnson and Trula "Twila" Cox for their constant care and emotional support, as well as the attentiveness of the devoted staff at Wellmont Hospice.

The family will receive friends on Sunday from 1-3:00 pm and following the funeral service at First Presbyterian Church. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm with The Rev. Dr. David A. Cagle officiating.

The graveside service will be held on Monday at 11:00 am at McKinney Cemetery in Rogersville. Military Rites will be conducted by American Legion Posts 3/265. Those wishing to attend the interment should meet at Hamlett-Dobson at 10:00 am to go in procession, or can meet at the graveside by 11:00 am.

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