Jim Davis Obituary

James H Davis Deceased at 68

James H. Davis

Date published: 2/13/2012

James H. Davis

Lt. Col. James H. "Jim" Davis, USMC Ret., passed away on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, at his home in Fredericksburg at the age of 68.

Jim was born Dec. 1, 1944, to Sherwood and Elizabeth Davis in Jamestown, S.C. He grew up in central/coastal South Carolina and enjoyed playing center on the Bishopville High School football team before leaving for the University of South Carolina. Upon graduation, Jim joined the United States Marine Corps in 1967 as a 2nd Lieutenant to serve alongside many other young men fighting the war in Southeast Asia. He served two tours in Vietnam and participated in what many historians consider the "last battle" on Koh Tang Island in Cambodia during the final stages of the conflict in 1975.

While in Vietnam, Jim was awarded three Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars before returning to serve the rest of his career in the Marine Corps, until retiring in 1988. After "retiring," Jim quickly pursued his love of service and adventure by joining the Dorchester County, S.C., Sheriff's Department to spearhead their counter-narcotics initiative from 1988-90. While with the Sheriff's Department, Jim was recognized numerous times for the significant positive impact he made with the fight against drugs, as well as for the emergency response team he led during the Hurricane Hugo crisis and recovery. Jim joined the CIA in 1990 and served in multiple roles before retiring again in 2011. While with the CIA, Jim served two tours in Iraq/Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His most recent assignment prior to retirement was as an instructor at the Marine Corps' Command and Staff College, where he enjoyed one of his greatest passions, teaching.

Jim enjoyed great relationships with his three grown sons, grandson and many other friends and family members. When he wasn't enjoying a cup of coffee with his friends on the downtown Fredericksburg coffee circuit, he kept busy with many hobbies. He had a love for motorcycling, classic cars, gardening, carpentry and stained glass. He leaves behind a legacy of service to our country, selflessness as a father and generosity among his family, friends and colleagues.

His memorial service will be hosted at Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Stafford at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, with a funeral to follow at Marine Corps Base Quantico at 2 p.m. Friends and family are encouraged to attend both events.