James “JW” Willard Davis, passed away on July 21, 2026. James was born to Adam and Lessie Messer Davis on May 1, 1935. He was raised in Morrisville and Ozark, Missouri, and graduated from Ozark High School in 1953. James was united in marriage to Kathern Marie Loomis on November 16, 1959, in Ozark, Missouri. James and Kathern shared 66 years of marriage. James proudly served in the United States Army, receiving an honorable discharge. James and Kathern were blessed with two children, Leslie Thomas and Darren Davis.

James was employed as a custodian with Springfield Public Schools for 30 years. While working at Central High, Parkview High, and Delaware Elementary Schools, James was loved by staff and students alike, and the feeling was mutual. At Delaware Elementary he loved spending time with the children with disabilities and worked hard to repair their wheelchairs and equipment. He loved those children so much that after retiring, he would go on their field trips to help one of his favorite children by pushing his wheelchair and feeding him.

When not working at school, he was busy on the farm in Chadwick, Missouri. Cutting and splitting wood was a favorite pastime. Using his chainsaw and wood splitter made him very happy and he always had cords and cords of wood stacked and ready to use. However, nothing brought him more joy than his family. He was a proud father, grandpa, and great grandpa. James leaves behind a legacy of love of his family and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

James was preceded in death by his father, Adam and mother, Lessie; sisters, Betty Holt and Marie Turner; brother, Bob Davis; and beloved son, Darren Davis. He is survived by his wife, Kathern; daughter, Leslie (David) Thomas; sisters, Ruth Davis and Mildred Murphy; grandchildren: Alexis (Derek) Kastner, Erika (Jared) McKnight, Matthew Thomas, Caroline Thomas, Evan Davis and JoLea Davis; great-grandchildren: Harper and Hayden McKnight, and Jaxon, Bella, and Zoe Kastner; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends.

A funeral service for JW will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 10:00 am, at Chadwick Union Church in Chadwick, Missouri, with Pastor Evan Wise officiating. Following the service, JW will be laid to rest with full military honors at Chadwick Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in JW’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) in Memphis, Tennessee (901-595-3300).

Arrangements have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home and Life Tribute Center in Ozark, Missouri.