James (Jim) Michael Davis passed away at 1:44 pm Saturday, July 25, 2015 at the age of 45. Jim, or “Michael” as he was sometimes called by his family, was born in Paintsville, KY on July 19th, 1970 to his father David Davis, deceased, and mother Stella Howell. Jim attended and graduated from Johnson Central High School in 1988. Soon after graduating, Jim joined the US Air Force in his hometown and was stationed in the Philippines when Mt. Pinatubo erupted in the summer of 1991. Jim was briefly stationed at Grissom Air Force Base (Peru, IN) in 1992, where he was honorably discharged from the USAF. After leaving the Air Force, Jim married his first wife Ginger Smith, they had two children, Emili and Jonathon. Jim became a member of the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) and worked as an electrician for several years in Kokomo, IN. In 1999 Jim joined the United States Army Reserves and volunteered for active duty after 9-11, as an 11C (infantry Mortorman). After moving to Fort Hood, Texas in 2004 Jim deployed to Iraq once with the 2nd Battalion 7th Calvary Regiment, 1st Calvary Division and again with 6th Squadron 9th Calvary Regiment, 1st Calvary Division in 2006. During his second deployment to Iraq, Jim was awarded both the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during an IED blast. Shortly after returning to Fort Hood, he deployed to Seoul, South Korea where he spent two years with his son Jonathon and his then wife Stacey Markham and her son Daniel. Jim then retired from the US Army in 2013 to settle down from his fast paced life. Jim had an extensive and honorable military career, from drill instructor to PLDC (Primary Leadership Development Course) instructor to caring for and mentoring soldiers under his command. In his free time, he loved to play the guitar and ride his Harley. He was a wonderful dad to his two babies, an amazing soldier and mentor to his comrades and an all-around great man. He will be truly missed. Jim is survived by his two children Emili Davis and Jonathon Davis, who both live in Anna, Texas. His sister, Sherry (Gene) Bryan, two brothers Jeff Davis and Matthew Davis and his step mother Buela (David) Davis. A memorial and funeral service will be held at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Veterans Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.
