James Davis

REEDS SPRING, Mo. -- James Freeman Davis, 71, of Reeds Spring, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center.

He was born March 9, 1930, in Murray, Ky., son of John and Louera Bailey Davis. He and Hazel Jones were married May 9, 1953, in Piggott, Ark. She died April 23, 1984.

Davis grew up in Murray and East Prairie, Mo. He was a Golden Glove participant. He built a home for the handicapped at Patton, Mo., which is still in operation.

He was a heavy equipment operator in construction and then was a business representative and vice president of Operating Engineers Local 513 for 30 years, retiring in 1990.

Davis was a member of Tyro Lodge 12 AT&AM at Arcadia, Mo., Moolah Shrine, and was a 32nd Degree Mason.

Survivors include two sons, James Davis Jr. of Patton, Richard Hockersmith of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; a daughter, Theresa Parker of Livingston, Mont.; brother, Charles Pat Davis of Bunker, Mo.; four sisters, Mary Long, Pearline Davis, Wendy Robbins and Vesta Harvey, all of Marble Hill, Mo.; and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son and three brothers.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home from 4-8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Randy Poole officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.