James Frederick Davis

James Frederick Davis, 86, died with his wife of 66 years, Mary Sue Harrison Davis by his side on August 30th, 2021. He was a long-term resident of both Durham and Hillsborough, North Carolina, with his passing occurring in Burlington, NC. He dearly loved family and will be missed by both family and friends, alike.

Jim Davis was honored to be named to the North Carolina All State team as a linebacker on Durham High School’s football team in which he graduated in 1953. After high school he attended Staunton Military Academy. His outstanding play in high school and at Staunton earned him a full scholarship at Duke University where he played under Coach Bill Murray where he graduated in 1958 with a BS Degree. His senior year at Duke included a trip to the Orange Bowl at a time when college bowls were rare and reserved exclusively for the nations’ top ranked teams.

Upon graduation from Duke, he had a distinguished record at Roadway Express deciding early in a promising career to give up the life on the road for family life. He and Mary Sue settled in their childhood home of Durham where he purchased the local tire and appliance dealer Miller Hurst, Inc. This company soon led to other businesses including ownership of Wallace’s Auto Electric Garage that proudly served “Duke and Durham” since 1926 and various real estate related investments.

During his time in business he was active in the community serving as the President of the Durham Rotary Club (1984-1985). In his retirement years he took up golf, playing well into his mid-eighties on a regular basis both in Durham and in Roaring Gap, NC while enjoying both the competition and the friendships he gathered along the way.

Mr. Davis is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Sue Harrison Davis and their three(3) children, James Wade Davis, Sr. (Beverly) of Charlotte; Allison Elizabeth Cianciulli (David) of Elizabeth City; Frederick Harrison Davis (Michele) of Burlington and also by his brother, Monty Carrol Davis (Penny) of Yadkinville, NC; and by his dearly loved seven(7) grandchildren and by six(6) great-grandchildren.

Mr. Davis was preceded in death by his father and mother, James McGlendell Davis and Mildred Monroe Davis.

The family will be hosting a memorial service at Hall-Wynne Funeral Services 1113 W Main Street Durham, NC on Friday September 3rd at 11:00am with a gathering immediately after the service for friends and family at the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club of Durham.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers to consider a donation to either the Salvation Army or Rotary International.