James Lowell (Jim) Davis, age 75 of Willard, MO, passed away at his home, on Sunday, January 19, 2025, surrounded by his family.

James was born on October 28, 1949, at home, in Cedar County, MO, the second of five children born to Lowell B Davis and Trevie Jean (Dryer) Davis.  When the Sac River was dammed to create Stockton Lake, the family moved to a farm along Bear Creek where they milked cows, rode horses, went to church and spent time with family and friends. James enjoyed hunting for arrowheads, picking wild gooseberries for homemade gooseberry pie and gigging frogs. When asked what he missed most about being a kid, he answered, “being free” and “his friends.”

James attended school at Bear Creek and graduated from Stockton High School, where he was active in FFA and President of the Class of 1967.  After graduating from high school, James attended Southwest Missouri State College and graduated with a degree in animal science. He had several jobs in the food industry before taking a sales position with Griffith Foods Group Inc, (formerly named Griffith Laboratories, Inc.) in Chicago, IL.  While there, he attended a fortuitous company Christmas party, where he met another Griffith employee and future wife, Kathy. The two were married in 1982 and started their family in Willard, MO, where they raised their two girls and a revolving cast of adopted cats and dogs.

As James would say, “Ok, next subject.”

After leaving Griffith, James continued his sales career with the company he’d eventually retire from, Newly Weds Foods, a global food ingredients company. He traveled across the Midwest, meeting with customers, collecting hotel points, frequent flier miles, and professional awards. He was a repeat recipient of the Million Dollar Club and Salesman of the Year awards at NewlyWeds Foods. James spent much of his work week on the road, so he knew the locations of all the speed traps and which hotels to stop at for a free coffee and newspaper.  During these years, he made friendships that would last a lifetime.

Again, as James would say, “Well, this doesn’t have anything to do with that, but…”

Anyone who knew James, knows that he loved a good deal, crossword puzzles, taking walks and “piddling.” After he retired, he took care of the farm: mowing, gardening, and picking up after the local litterbugs. He was a cat-sitter, errand-runner, and master chef of “gruel” (an ever-changing combination of cooked vegetables, etc.). James was a loving husband, father, brother and friend. He was strong and loyal with bright blue eyes and a steadfast spirit.

James was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Davis; two daughters, Audrey Davis and Sarah (Paul) Wilkerson; three sisters, Lois Davis, Ruth (Gary) Selby, Esther Davis; and brother John (Kathy) Davis; nieces, nephews, cousins, and his beloved cat Dorothy, an adopted stray that he named after Kathy’s mother. We’re all still trying to figure out what that was about…

James was a good man, one of a kind. He will be greatly missed by all. Love you always and forever.

As James would say when the sun was setting, and he needed to head out, “Well, it’s getting about that time…”

A memorial service to honor James’s life will be held at Willard Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 11:00 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in James’s honor to Empower: Abilities