John W Davies, Jr.

John W. Davies, Jr. was born on July 28, 1929 to John and Edith Davies in Gary, Indiana.  He and younger brother Bob were raised by parents whom they deeply loved and admired. They were taught to be curious, intellectual, and to approach life with a strong work ethic.  John attended DePauw University, obtaining his degree in Economics, then served his country in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954.  

John ultimately found his way to Toledo where he made what would become a decades-long business partnership with Jim Findley. In 1969, they founded Findley Davies, where he was Principal in charge of Marketing and the Health and Welfare practice. Their firm belief in the value of community service was the foundation of the organization’s philanthropic focus and the compass for John’s journey through life. He concluded his career as the Executive Director of the Sight Center, passionately helping those with vision impairments.

His unwavering dedication to his community was manifested in his membership and leadership in numerous organizations. He served as President of the Sylvania Board of Education; the Toledo Area Humane Society; The Ability Center of Greater Toledo; Sertoma Club of Toledo; Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of America, and Sylvania Community Services Center. Additionally, he served as a board member of Toledo Ballet Association; Rotary Club of Toledo; Community Coalition for Effective Education; Employers Association; Juvenile Justice Advisory Board; National Vision Rehabilitation Association, and Toledo Early College High School.  He was a founding member and former board member of Chance for Change Foundation as well as Partners in Education. There were additional non-profit affiliations to which he volunteered his time but are too numerous to mention. Support of the non-profit community was his calling. His kind demeanor and genuine enjoyment of people allowed him to approach a reception of people he did not know and, within hours, he would know most of the attendees’ names and would have garnered multiple charitable contributions or commitments. 

John’s love of life and the arts led him to travel throughout the world and exposed him to many distant cultures and communities. He and his wife enjoyed many concert seasons with the Toledo Symphony.  Nevertheless, his place of most comfort was perched on a porch overlooking the rocky shores of Maine with his family, wrapped in a thick sweater, and immersed in the tales of another good book.

John leaves behind a loving and tight-knit family, a network of life-long friends, and the Toledo community to which he was so deeply committed. The optimism, kindness, love, and generosity with which he led his life will continue on through his entire family.

He is remembered and loved by his wife, Mari, his younger brother Bob; children Judy, Dottie (Tina), Mandy (Chris), and Christopher (Joanne); step-children Abby (Terry), Caroline (Chris), Ryan and Tracey; and nine wonderful grandchildren. 

Family and friends will be received at the Foth-Dorfmeyer Mortuary, Friday, March 18, 2022 from 3-7 p.m.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2022, 1:00 PM at the First Unitarian Church, 3205 Glendale Ave., Toledo, OH 43614.

Donations to the Toledo Area Humane Society and the Sight Center of Northwest Ohio are preferred in lieu of flowers.