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John Davis Obituary

John Gay Davis CHARLESTON - John Gay Davis was born on September 11th, 1936 in Southampton, New York to Dwight Filley Davis Jr and Dorothea Gay Davis. John was educated at the Harvey School and St. Marks School in Massachusetts and graduated from Harvard in 1959, where he captained the Baseball team and was an all-American catcher. After graduating from Harvard he was rated top ten on the USA National squash circuit. John was drafted into the military services as a speech writer in the Pentagon for the Under Secretary of the Army and then went on to work in the international trade business in DC. In the late 1960's, John returned to New York where he started a family and took over a graphics design firm as CEO. He pursued his passion for hunting and fishing with his Uncle Phillip Gay and his Chesapeake retrievers on Long Island. He spent numerous early mornings in duck blinds, digging for muscles, chumming for sharks, and reeling in stripers. John has always been an outdoor enthusiast and has passed this love on to his family. His passion for racquet sports led him to the International Tennis Hall of Fame where he was the principal designer for the Davis Cup room and eventually became Vice President. It was while in Newport, RI that he undertook the publishing of the America's Cup Magazine and then continued in publishing by purchasing a weekly newspaper in New Hampshire which earned him a First Place award for outstanding design and typographical excellence. John spent a few years in Switzerland in the mid 1980's where he was able to share his love of baseball by coaching a beginners team thus introducing baseball to the Swiss. John moved to South Carolina in 1992 to follow his good friend John Winthrop. He settled in the historic four corners downtown area of Charleston. John engaged his new community on a philanthropic level for over two decades with the charities Darkness to Light, the Concert Association, Kids with Cameras, and the Miracle League. John started a company called Celebration Books where he created many fine brochures, annual reports for the Fresh Air Fund in New York as well as many other charitable marketing materials, all pro-bono. John was also a Coastal Community Foundation's Malcolm Haven Award for Selfless Community Giving recipient. He was co-owner of the Hatfield Gallery in downtown Charleston, which demonstrated his love for the arts. John is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Ian and Karen Davis of Bozeman, Montana and their children Hillary,11, Maggie, 9, and Sophie, 7. Thank you to Rainey Evans who stayed by his side, and all those who have loved him throughout his life in New England, New York, Vancouver and Charleston. In lieu of flowers donations should be made to one of his children's charities Kids with Cameras or Miracle League. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Nov. 21 to Nov. 22, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
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Sheila Cochran

December 21, 2014

I am a step cousin who has known John all his life. I and my Smith relatives always thought so highly of John. In recent years we have had dinner together when he visited Washington but I did not hear from him last year and I missed him. We mostly spoke of earlier days. I had no idea how involved he was in helping others. John was a real gentleman and a fine person. He leaves a void in our lives. My sympathy to you all.

December 9, 2014

John was my absolute hero, my idol at Harvey School. As a person more senior to me at school, he never hesitated to take the time to give me assistance or advice and I treasured all of it. I am so disappointed that I did not see him all these years. Michael Hard, Tucson, Arizona

Brooks Robbins

December 8, 2014

I Knew Johnny Davis as a youngster, such a long time ago. We played ball together - Later I played against him in high school when he became a catcher. I can tell you that he caught some great ballplayers and was one himself. Always a gentlemen, he was devoted thoroughly to numbers of organizations putting himself last and others first. A great man!

Ashley Alexander

December 8, 2014

I met John Davis on several occasions and my heart broke hearing of his loss. He was someone who if you met, you remembered. I'm thinking of the family during this time.

Catherine Allan

November 30, 2014

Karen and Ian, our love and prayers are with you. We are so sorry for the loss of your incredible dad. Love, Brad & Catherine Allan and boys

November 30, 2014

Ian, Karen & girls -
I was so sorry to hear of John's passing. What a generous, kind man and his spirit lives on through you and your girls. So glad you were able to be with him and let him know how truly loved he was. All the best. Trish

Channing Proctor

November 30, 2014

First and foremost what I cherished about John was his friendship. Being able to spend time with him the day before his passing was a gift I'll never forget. - Channing Proctor, Founder of the Charleston Miracle League

Cindy Hay Johnson

November 26, 2014

I will miss John's joy in living, his enthusiasm, passion and strong voice. He made me laugh and touched my heart.

Kevin Flarisee

November 24, 2014

John was truly an amazing person. He will be missed by the multitudes he has touched, including those he worked with at the Charleston Concert Association. We extend our thoughts and prayers to his beloved family.

Evelyn Turner

November 24, 2014

Words cannot express our heartfelt sympathy for your family. We will miss John at the Miracle League Field. He was instrumental in what we have been able to do for our players and their families. His legacy will live on at Joe Griffith Field! Our thoughts and preayers are with you! Evelyn Turner, President Charleston Miracle League

dusti and Devlan borsheim Geddes

November 24, 2014

So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your beautiful family...

November 23, 2014

Ian, (a/k/a "Squeaky"), there are so many cherished moments of your Dad at Onteora, (impromptu softball games on the golf course, for one~~) and I was lucky enough to reconnect with him in Charleston a few years' back--I even got to see his fabulous art gallery on Queen Street. I am so sorry for your loss: he was so very proud of you and your family. John was a truly lovely man. With Love and Remembrance, Kathy (Nay) Clay

Benry Smith

November 23, 2014

A person that departs from this earth never truly leaves, for they are still alive in our hearts and minds, through us, they live on. Please accept our condolences. From my family and I.

November 23, 2014

A Gentleman and a Scholar - John will be well
remembered by his many friends.
Rest in Peace, John.
Bill and Nada Arnold

November 23, 2014

Ian and Karen, we are so sorry for your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Barbara and Manny

Jeff Ferguson

November 23, 2014

Our sincere condolences on your loss.

Ann Fosberry

November 23, 2014

Had the honor of sitting by y'all while listening to music for the soul. You are just wonderful folks and so very sorry for your loss. Your dad sounds like simply a wonderful guy.

Ann Fosberry

November 23, 2014

Had the honor of sitting by y'all while listening to music for the soul. You are just wonderful folks and so very sorry for your loss. Your dad sounds like simply a wonderful guy.

Pattie Parkes

November 23, 2014

I was very sad to hear the news of John's passing. I met him through Rashida, John's neighbour in Vancouver. John kindly let me stay in his beautiful home for a month with my partner, Ian, whilst John was away on holiday. I met him only briefly but his kindness, generosity and sense of fun were striking and memorable. He'd left details of his dear friends for us to meet. He will be very sorely missed. Pattie

White

November 22, 2014

Sending our deepest sympathy to your family. May you be comforted to cope and endure this difficult time.

November 22, 2014

John was a wonderful man, and what a blessing to this community! He will be sadly missed. My thoughts are with the family, and with Rainey. Harriet McDougalMcDougal

November 22, 2014

We are saddened by the passing of our neighbor, Mr. Davis. His kind and gentle presence will be missed.
Jennifer and Mike Kinnard

Ann Fosberry

November 22, 2014

Had the honor of sitting by y'all while listening to music for the soul. You are just wonderful folks and so very sorry for your loss. Your dad sounds like simply a wonderful guy.

November 22, 2014

Our deepest condolences on John's passing. He welcomed us with open arms when we moved in next door to him 15 years ago. We are deeply saddened by his passing. Sigrid and Mike Laughlin

Showing 1 - 24 of 24 results

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