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Jack Davis Obituary

U.S. teammates Jack Davis and Harrison Dillard were locked in a close race in the finals of the 110-meter hurdles at the Helsinki Olympics in July 1952 when Mr. Davis, who was barely ahead, hit the ninth barrier and lost his slim lead. At the finish line, the sprinters were clocked at an identical 13.7 seconds, an Olympic record. But a photo finish showed Dillard first by an eyelash.

Four years later, Mr. Davis lined up in the starting blocks of the same event at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. This time, he held the world record in the 110-meter hurdles, having recently clocked 13.4 seconds. Mr. Davis and another American, Lee Calhoun, streamed to the finish line neck and neck, both timed at 13.5 seconds, another Olympic record. But Calhoun leaned perceptibly forward at the tape, winning the gold medal.

Mr. Davis was crushed, forced to settle for another silver medal.

Many years later, in an oral history interview with the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles, Mr. Davis called the Olympic outcome a "real good life experience. I realized that I could not call every shot. There are some things which were out of my control."

The world-class sprinter from Glendale's Hoover High School and the University of Southern California went on to a career as a real estate developer and was inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2004.

Mr. Davis, 81, died Friday at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego of complications from a fall, his family said.

Jack Wells Davis was born Sept. 11, 1930, in Amarillo, Texas, to Forrest E. Davis and Maude V. Wells. His family moved to California when he was a child and eventually settled in Glendale. Both parents had jobs at a grocery store chain before working in the defense industry.

At Hoover, Davis was a champion hurdler and long jumper. He also played football and was elected student body president. He concentrated on track at USC and earned varsity letters in 1951, '52 and '53. The Trojans won the NCAA title all three years, and Davis became a three-time champion in the 120-yard hurdles, as well as the 220-yard hurdles champion in 1953.

The lanky, 6-foot-3 sprinter set the world record of 13.4 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles in June 1956 at the national Amateur Athletic Union track and field championships. In the 1950s, he was ranked No. 1 in the world six times in the hurdles.

Mr. Davis graduated from USC in 1953 with a degree in education and served in the Navy from 1954 to 1957. After the Olympics he competed while touring with U.S. athletes on a goodwill ambassador trip sponsored by the State Department.

When his track career ended, he became a real estate developer in San Diego and Park City, Utah. Davis also helped found the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif.

Mr. Davis, who was divorced from his first wife, is survived by his wife of 19 years, Carol; daughters Jackie D. Gray of Petoskey, Mich., and Tracy D. Sinnott |of San Diego; son Trent W. Davis of Park City, Utah; six grandchildren, and two step-grandchildren.

Published by The Record/Herald News on Jul. 27, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Jack Davis

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7 Entries

juanita ramirez

February 18, 2015

Jack..you will be remembered by the people that loved you dearly..~Shorty

Shorty Koppelman

July 28, 2012

To the family: May the God of all comfort, comfort you as you move forward during this time of grief. My deepest sympathy.

July 27, 2012

To the the family of jack Davis - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that he will be missed by many.

July 27, 2012

To the family of Jack Davis:

May God give you peace, comfort and strength during this most difficult time.

So sorry for your loss. Lifting you up in prayer. Psalms 46:1 says God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.


S., Alabama

July 27, 2012

God Bless - Sorry for your loss. My prayers are with your family at this time. Alice Guckian @ family

Alice Guckian Queen

July 26, 2012

Alice Guckian Queen

July 26, 2012

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