James C. Davis (Jim) passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on March 30, 2026.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years, Ann; his two sisters; and his two brothers-in-law.
Jim is survived by his three daughters: Lisa (Brent), Leslie (Keith), and Laura (Bill). He is also survived by his bonus daughters, Cinthia and Stephanie. He was blessed with seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, all of whom brought him great joy.
Jim was born in Butler, Pennsylvania, in a simpler time than today. As a boy, his favorite pastimes included playing with marbles, push cars, and building with different types of materials. During his school years, he discovered a lifelong love for art and music, passions that remained with him throughout his life.
Jim proudly served in the United States Army, it was during this time that he met the love of his life, Ann. Their story began on a double date—one where Jim and Ann quickly realized they found each other far more interesting than their original dates. That unexpected beginning marked the start of a lifelong partnership.
Jim dedicated his entire career to JCPenney, a company that helped shape his strong work ethic. He began working at just 16 years old in the stockroom, assembling toys, cleaning, and doing general grunt work. Through dedication and integrity, he worked his way up to assistant manager and then manager of the Plymouth store. He was known as a fair and honest manager. His career allowed him to travel and form lasting friendships across many states.
Though proud of his career, Jim was never defined by his occupation. If you knew Jim, you knew his true passion was cars. He loved tinkering with them, fixing them, and—perhaps most of all—cleaning them. Riding in one of Jim’s cars meant there was never a speck of dust in sight. His cars were a great source of pride, and he was fortunate to own many over the years. He often met with a group of friends at a local restaurant, where conversations inevitably turned to cars, or you might find him with his head under a car hood, figuring out a problem. Jim was also an unofficial car salesman—able to find the perfect car for people, sometimes before they even knew they needed one.
After retiring from JCPenney, Jim and Ann became snowbirds, purchasing a home in Arizona. During this time, Jim returned to painting, creating beautiful scenes of sunsets, mountains, and cacti.
Music also remained a constant joy in his life. Jim sang faithfully in his church, both in Indiana and Arizona. He performed at open mic nights, theater productions, and was often invited to sing at various venues around town.
Jim was known for his kindness and goodwill toward others, always willing to help a friend or a stranger alike. His generous spirit, gentle humor, and warm presence will be deeply missed. His family is at peace knowing that he is reunited with family and singing with his favorite Nat King Cole.
Jim will be missed by many in the community and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.
His family would like to thank his Plymouth Wesleyan Sunday School class, Luminary Hospice team, Heart to Heart Hospice team, Right at Home in Home Care, and the many friends who came and spent special time with him. This meant the world to Jim and his family.
A memorial service will tentively be held July 11 at Plymouth Wesleyan Church.
