Jerry Grant Davis, age 71, passed on to his heavenly home Monday, March 23, at home surrounded by love.
Jerry G. Davis was born September 25, 1943, to Frederick and Minnie Davis in Miami, Oklahoma. Called “Jake” by his brothers, he was the youngest of four boys. During his adolescent years, Jake worked to help support family by assembling newspapers and unloading produce trucks at a local grocery. He was also a standout high school track star in the state of Oklahoma.
After high school, Jerry enlisted in the Army. He excelled in the training regiment and earned a very rare opportunity to go to Officer Candidate School. Jerry liked to say that he took the position because “OCS candidates got to sleep an hour later.” It was that self-depreciating humor that carried him through a stellar Army career as an artillery officer. Through the years, he served as Battery commander and Battalion commander eventually reaching the rank of Colonel. Later, he was selected for the OCS Hall of Fame.
While Jerry was stationed at Ft. Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma, providence led him to church where he met the love of his life, Linda Myers, while singing in the sanctuary choir. Soon, they were married in the same church where they met. Together, they made the decision for Jerry to leave active duty military service and continue his education. He remained active in the Army National Guard. Jerry and Linda soon became parents to two daughters, Erin and Emily.
Jerry graduated from Central State University (Edmond, Oklahoma) with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics (1972). After graduation, he was hired to be the first city manager for Spencer, Oklahoma. It was here that Jerry began honing his leadership and sales skills. As city manager, he increased the city’s budget 10 fold through grants and proposals. He participated at every level of city governance – from state leadership meetings to working with the local sanitation crews. That’s just how Jerry was – no job was too big or too small for him.
Education was always important, so after a short stint as an investment banker, he decided to pursue his Masters degree. He earned his Masters of Science in Education from Central State University in 1976 and then taught distributive education to Carl Albert High School entrepreneurs in Del City, Oklahoma.
From there, he was accepted into the post-graduate adult education program at The Ohio State University. In two short years, he earned his Doctorate Ph.D. in Higher Education and Research (1980). His girls welcomed him home by calling him “Doctor Daddy.”
Leaving one OSU for another OSU, now Dr. Davis took a position at Oklahoma State University. There he taught in the Department of Education, launched a prestigious Master’s degree program for military officers, and served as a Professor of Military Science for the university’s ROTC program.
After eight years with OSU, LTCOL Davis was tapped by the Oklahoma National Guard to serve as the commander of the 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery, 45th Infantry Brigade (1988-89) and Telecommunications/Education Officer at state headquarters (1989-90). He was then selected to attend US Army War College with a dual enrollment at Harvard and Tufts Universities (1990-1991).
After completing War College, Dr. Davis was able to combine his two passions, the US Army and education, into a single pursuit. While at the Center for Strategic Analysis at the University of Texas, he created the Senior Service College Fellowship (SSCF) for the Army. This year-long program provided senior level leadership training for Army officers and DA civilians and became the model for other programs within the Department of Defense. During this period, Jerry was promoted to full Colonel.
In 2002, Jerry found his way to the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) South Region in Huntsville, Alabama. He served as the Associate Dean of Outreach, but his proudest accomplishment was to establish the Senior Service College Fellowship DAU. Retiring from full-time academia in 2008, Dr. Davis continued to serve DAU as a Professor Emeritus and mentor for the fellowship program. In 2013, he was selected to the DAU Hall of Fame.
Although Jerry’s early beginnings were of humble means, he is the personification of a self-made man. He worked hard for his family to provide every opportunity for his daughters. He extended enthusiastic, empathic support to many friends and family members throughout his life. Often, friends and associates sought him as a guide and mentor. Jerry was the kind of leader that built other people up. He let people stand on his strong shoulders to raise them up and praise them. This engendered extreme loyalty and trust in him.
An active member at the First Baptist Church Huntsville for many years, Jerry embraced his role in ministry and witnessing by serving as deacon, Sunday school department director and teacher, choir member and numerous committees.
Jerry and Linda are the parents of two daughters Erin Elizabeth and Emily Elaine.
His children and grandchildren remained his passion throughout his life. A constant source of support and encouragement, Jerry loved his daughters and grandchildren cheering career, education and sport achievements.
He loved to go fishing as often as he could, attend matinees with Linda, and just “hang out and do nothing” with family at home. He had a passion for dominoes, board games, John Wayne westerns, and Louis L’Amour books.
Mr. Davis is survived by his wife of 45 years, Linda; daughter, Erin and Steve Blake, their children, Davis and Lena, of San Antonio Texas; daughter, Emily and John McConnell, their children Grant and Seth, of Stillwater, OK; and brother, Harold Davis of Anaheim, CA.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church with Rev. Billy Orton and Rev. Mark Seanor officiating. (www.laughlinservice.com)
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Russel Hill Cancer Foundation, www.russelhill.org (associated with Clearview Cancer Institute), or First Baptist Church Huntsville Music Ministry – Sanctuary Choir, 600 Governors Dr., Huntsville, AL 35801.
