James Davies

All who knew James Davies would agree that he brought the world around him to life. He was a hardworking man who accomplished so many things to be proud of, but it was his family that was his greatest source of pride and joy. Blessed to share the best years of his life with his true love, Jim was so proud to become a grandfather later in life. A friend of Jims was a friend for life, and he was the sort of person who never met a stranger. A longtime resident of the community, he touched the lives of so many others in such a significant way. Life will never be the same without Jim here, but his family and friends will forever cherish the precious memories they made.

It seems only fitting that Jims journey began during a time that was a vibrant as he was. It was the 1950s when James Dean and Marilyn Monroe dominated the silver screen and Elvis Presley took the music world by storm. It was just as this decade was getting started that Allan Keith Spike and Marion Marie (Hewitt) Davies were pleased to announce the birth of the baby boy they named Jim Allan on October 10, 1950, in Flint, Michigan. The oldest of four Davies children, he was later joined in his family by his brothers, Kim and Tim, and his sister, Tami. Jim was a tough kid growing up, one of the toughest in his school and was known to stand his own ground. No one ever messed with his younger brothers since everyone knew that Jim would be right there to defend them! This also might have made it a bit of a challenge for any guy who tried to date his little sister!

Raised in the family home in Swartz Creek, Michigan, Jim was a typical young boy of his generation. He and his brothers developed a love for baseball from playing on the baseball diamond across the street, and Jim also enjoyed playing 500. He could often be found swimming at the pits even through it was a two mile walk there from his house. Jim even snuck his brothers out of the house to go swimming there on at least one occasion. Although Jim gave his brothers strict instructions not to say anything about their adventures, the sunburn that all three boys were sporting was a bit of a giveaway. It probably didnt help that Tim let his parents know that we were not swimming as soon as he walked through the door! Jim did some fishing with his younger brother, Kim, but he especially loved golfing with his dad and youngest brother, Tim. Their dad always made sure all four children knew how to play euchre, which also a favorite game for them to play as a family.

While attending Swartz Creek High School, Jim decided that school was not for him so he joined the United States Marine Corps. He was soon in training in California, and he also served during the Vietnam War. During his time in the military Jim was a radio technician and a great sharpshooter. After serving in the military, Jim left California and moved back home to Michigan where he worked as a drywaller. Through his job he moved down to Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Jims move to Fort Wayne proved to be quite fateful as it was there that he met the woman who would forever hold the key to his heart. Her name was LuAnn Cox, and they met through a mutual friend. After hanging out on several occasions, Jim and LuAnn soon started dating. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together the sweethearts were married on January 5, 1985, at the Laud Christian Church by Pastor James Clifford. After a short time living in Fort Wayne, they moved to rural Whitley County. Through a previous marriage Jim became a father to his oldest son, James Aaron Bubba Davies. Together Jim and LuAnn had two more sons, Eric and Brandon.

Throughout his life Jims family was his primary focus. He was content living a simple life, and he made it seem easy to make the best of things. When they were not playing ball, they often made up family games as having fun together was common place. Whenever a new Disney movie came out, they always got a copy and watched it together as a family. Jim treasured time spent with his wife, children, and grandchildren, and he also loved being with his brothers and his sister, Tami. He loved camping with his family and also coached his youngest two sons in baseball. As Eric got older, Eric helped Jim coach, Brandon.

Throughout his life Jim was a busy man. He would go on to earn his GED and after being a drywaller, he spent some time working at Munks Sanitation and also as a shop foreman at Viking in Columbia City, where his youngest son also worked with him. Jim loved watching football and baseball. He was a Detroit Lions and Tigers fan as well as a University of Michigan fan. It was hard for Jim to decide whether to support college ball or professional ball because LuAnn would not allow him to watch sports all weekend long. He was a member of Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed participating in league bowling, golfing, playing poker, and Fantasy football. As an adult he was given the nickname of Buddha because his build was similar. Over time Jim embraced this nickname and even started collecting Buddha figures. As his health declined in the past 10 years, he enjoyed watching sports a bit more and was excited to get a big screen TV for watching sports. Of course Jim always wanted to be in control of the remote.

Vibrant, fun-loving, and kind, James Davies was such a blessing in the lives of everyone he met. He was lively and spirited with a contagious zest for life. There was rarely a dull moment when Jim was around, and his devotion to his family was unmatched. Deeply loved, he will be forever missed.

James Allan Buddha Davies, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 3:32 a.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2017, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Jims family includes his wife of 32 years, LuAnn Davies; sons, James Aaron Bubba Davies, of Durand, Michigan, Eric (Baley) Davies and Brandon (Casey) Davies, both of Columbia City; brothers, Kim Davies, of Kalamazoo, Michigan and Tim (Sarah) Davies, of Swartz Creek, Michigan; sister, Tami (Randy) Henry, of Swartz Creek, Michigan; and six grandchildren, Ellie, Emily, Xander, Logan, Nevaeh, and Ayla.

Visitation is 1-3 and 5-8 p.m. Thursday, February 2, 2017 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Pastor Ross ODell, of Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church will be officiating. Follow the service; Jim will be laid to rest at Oak Grove (Compton) Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to his church. To send Jims family condolences, visit www.demoneygrimes.com .