James Luther Davis

James Luther Davis, age 90, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 22, 2016. He was born on February 5, 1926, the eldest son of Luther Isaac and Ora Rose Davis in Fulton, Missouri. He was united in marriage on April 7, 1951 to Gladys Betty Weaver. She preceded him in death on December 17, 2011. As a child growing up in the depression, he worked before and after school stocking grocery shelves at Kroger, delivering newspapers on rural routes and wheeling bricks at Harbison-Walker to help support his family. He went on to be a triple letterman for the Fulton High School Hornets in football, track and baseball. His high school baseball coach called him 'Cobb' after Ty Cobb because of the tenacious way he played baseball. Friends and family, still to this day, know him by that name. He served his country in World War II in the Navy as a seaman first class in the South Pacific on the USS Birmingham. After returning home from the service, he attended college on the GI Bill. He then went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone as a lineman climbing telephone poles and putting up long distance toll lines over southern Missouri. During this time, he met the love of his life, Gladys, on a blind date. They shared a love for Big Band music and were members of the Capital Kicks Dance Club. Through 60 years of marriage, they had two children, Betsy Lauf (Jim) and Eddy Davis (Tina); four grandchildren, Jon Lauf (Codi), Elizabeth Berendzen (Adam), Alexis Davis and Ben Davis; with three great-grandchildren, Elise, James and Case Lauf, all of Jefferson City. Through the years he enjoyed coaching little league baseball, bird watching, Cardinal baseball games, attending the activities of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, dining at Oscar's Restaurant and traveling, especially the annual family vacation to Gulf Shores, Alabama. He was a member of the American Legion Post Five, Veterans of Foreign War Post 1003, Communication Workers of America, Telephone Pioneers of America and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by his brother, Ernest Davis, and two sisters, Bertha Ellen Gentry and Hallie Irene Davis. Surviving siblings include Helen French (Raymond), Ruby Toomes and Katie Tenney Evers(Norbert). Family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 25, 2016, at Houser-Millard Funeral Directors, with a Prayer Service at 1:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 26, 2016, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with Fr. Don Antweiler celebrating Mass. Interment with full military honors will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Central Missouri Honor Flight or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO 65109; (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com