McKinley Davis

DAVIS, McKINLEY "DEACON", 70, of Rockford, IL died Thursday, March 20, 2003. Born August 3, 1932, in Freeport, son of McKinley and Josephine Davis. Married Lillie (Burton) Davis on October 18, 1958. Member of New Zion Baptist Church for 15 years. He came to Rockford in 1958, moving to DeKalb in 1968, where he resided for 17 years before returning to Rockford in 1985. He was a graduate of Freeport High School in 1951. In 1951, he was an All-State center for the Freeport Pretzels State Championship Team. In 1951-55 he attended and graduated from the University of Iowa and played four years on the basketball team. From 1955-57, he played for the Harlem Globetrotters, in 1957-61, he was director of Washington Park Community Center (Concord Center); in 1961-63, he was recreation supervisor with the Rockford Park District; in 1963-68, he was executive director of Booker Washington Center; in 1968-78, he was director of Special Programs at Northern Illinois University and founder of NIU C.H.A.N.C.E. programs; in 1978-83, he was executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics at NIU; and from 1983 to present,he joined Primerica Financial Services/Citigroup and was a National Sales Director with offices in Rockford, Chicago and Pittsburgh, PA. In 1981, he was selected to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame; and in 2000, he earned the University of Iowa Distinguished Alumni Award. He earned a political science degree from the University of Iowa in 1955. He is the uncle of jazz singer, Linda Cole and great-uncle of jazz instrumentalist, Anthony Cole. Predeceased by his mother, Josephine Turner-Davis and his father (a "centenarian") McKinley Davis, Sr. He leaves to cherish many memories, including wife, Lillie Davis; son Randy Davis of Rockford; two daughters, Carmen (Jack) Burns of Rockford and Connie Davis of Chicago; two brothers, Hosea Davis of Freeport and Joseph Davis of Oak Park; and three sisters, Margaret Broom of Milwaukee, WI, Erma Cole of Oak Park and Melva Davis of Freeport; nieces and nephews. Predeceased by one sister, Jo Mary Davis. McKinley "Deacon" Davis will always be remembered for his total commitment to God, his family and support of his fellow man. Services were held Wednesday, March 26. Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens. For more information please contact Linda Cole at (386) 441-0305.