James Durwood"Woody" Davis' Obituary
James Durwood "Woody" Davis was born on September 29, 1943 to Cecil and Ida Mae Davis in Green Hill Bottom in Dyer County, TN. Woody graduated from Friendship High School with the class of 1961. He lived an exciting life to say the least. One such adventure occurred on July 2, 1963, at the age of 20, Woody, a Pool Stock D/192 Installer for Sears at the time, was working with his colleague George Allison to install an air conditioning system. As they were wrapping up, George hollered up the stairs to Woody to see if he was almost finished. Not getting a response, George headed up the stairs where he found Woody frozen to his electric drill. Quickly, George unplugged the drill and immediately gave Woody mouth to mouth resuscitation for five minutes, which saved his life. From there the adventures continued for Woody. Just a year after his accident, Woody married his sweetheart, Wanda Kay Vanhoozer on July 2, 1964 in Memphis, TN. Shortly after they married, Woody joined the National Guard and served for six years. During his time in the guard, Woody and Kay lived in Memphis where they had two sons, Jeff and Brent. Woody opened his own residential HVAC business, D&K Heating/Air Conditioning in 1970, with his wife Kay working along side him as bookkeeper. In 1977 the family of four moved to Jackson, TN and made it their home for the next few decades. During his time in Jackson, Woody began working with his brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Sue Davis, at their family-owned business Custon Van & 4x4 Center. He later worked in commercial HVAC with Brady Horne, Co. Then in 1996 he began working at Union University in the Maintenance department where he worked until his retirement in 2014. As a real kickstarter to their retirement, Woody and Kay sold their home in Jackson and moved to their dream home in Henderson. The couple lived and enjoyed many holidays and peaceful days in Henderson until Woody's accident in July of 2020, which left him essentially paralyzed. Despite the mobility challenges over the last few years, Woody never complained. He kept his spirits up and always had a smile and a kind word or funny story. Woody was an amazing man who loved his family fiercely. He was never afraid to tell you what he thought even if it was something you didn't want to hear, but he would also give you the shirt off his back. He was hardworking, loved to stay busy, and didn't know the meaning of the words "sit down and relax". He truly was a Mr. Fix-it, and if he didn't know how to fix it right away, he would tinker until he found a way. He never met a stranger. He was personable and told entertaining stories and just made you feel like you had always known each other. He had many hobbies including fishing, collecting knives and guns, riding dirt bikes, and a whole host of other adventures. He lived a full life and left behind a legacy of love. Woody passed peacefully at his residence at Bells Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Bells, Tn. on February 9, 2024 at the age of 80. He was preceded in death by his parents Cecil and Ida Mae Davis and his brother Kenneth Davis. He is survived by his wife Kay Davis of Bells, his son Jeffrey (Charlene) Davis of Jackson, his son Brent (Gary Cook) Davis of Memphis, his sister, Diane (Mac) Summerlin of Friendship, his sister-in-law Sue Davis of Gadsden, his granddaughter Megan (Zak) Matlock of Bells, his grandson Matt Davis of Friendship, his great -grandsons Cameron and Oliver Matlock of Bells and a host of family and friends who love him. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 9, 2024, beginning at 11:00 at Friendship Funeral Home located at 152 Main St, Friendship, TN 38034. Services will begin at 1:00 PM with Rev. Charlie Crouthers officiating. Burial will follow in Friendship Cemetery. Pallbearers to serve will be Jeff Davis, Brent Davis, Matt Davis, Heath Davis, Mac Summerlin and Zak Matlock. Friendship Funeral Home 731-677-2673
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