Photo courtesy of Mercy Funeral System, Inc.
Beaumont, Texas
Nov 9, 1939 – Feb 10, 2014
The Honorable Judge John Paul Davis departed this life February 10, 2014, leaving behind a legacy of service to others both publicly and privately. Judge Davis was the epitome of integrity, wisdom, compassion, tolerance and humility.
He was born in Bay City, TX, on November 9, 1939, the youngest of four children of Lemon and Opal Davis. He grew up in the heart of South End Community of Bay City and attended Hilliard High School on both the North and South End campuses, graduating in 1958 as an honor student.
Judge Davis graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 1963, served two years in US Army, worked at Celanese Chemical Company of Bay City and, in 1972, graduated from University of Houston College of Law in Houston, Texas. For the past twenty years, he served as Judge of the Jefferson County Court of Law #3.
Judge Davis served as president emeritus of the Hilliard High School Alumni Association, was inducted in the Hilliard High School Hall of Fame, and was named Distinguished Alumni of Bay City Independent School District.
He was a life member of the NAACP and recipient of the Beaumont NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also recently named the Martin Luther King Support Group, Inc. Man of the Year for 2014. He was past president and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and was named both the Chapter Omega Man of the Year and Omega Citizen of the Year.
Judge Davis was an active and devoted member of Antioch Baptist Church serving faithfully as deacon and on several committees.
Judge Davis was preceded in death by his parents Lemon and Opal Davis and his brother James "Sonny" Lockett. Those who will miss his loving nature and words of wisdom include his wife Sharon Diane Dozier-Davis (affectionately known to him as "Apples"); his sister Joe Ann Davis of Bay City, TX, and his brother Alphonse Revis, Sr. of Houston, TX; children, Ruth Davis Young (Eric) of Palacios, TX, Paul Kevin Davis of Fort Worth, TX, John Kelvin Davis (Marcia) of Houston, TX, Kimberly Nicole Davis of Los Angeles, CA; grandchildren: Shatina Haynes, Dedtric Jones, Erica Collins, Tavia Young, Jamie Young, Jeremy Davis, Kevin Jazral Davis; Jordan and Maya Davis (and their mother Kimberly Ross Davis); nine great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
Funeral services are Saturday, February 15, 2014, at 10:00 AM at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 3920 W. Cardinal Drive, Beaumont, TX, Rev. John R. Adolph, officiating. A viewing is scheduled for 12 Noon until 5:00 p.m. Friday at Mercy Funeral Home and from 8:00 AM until service time on Saturday. Final resting place will be at Eastview Cemetery, 2401 Golden Avenue, Bay City, TX. Final arrangements are entrusted to Mercy Funeral Home of Beaumont, TX.
A wonderful man I know as a fellow Bay Citizen, and a judge. He was always knowledgeable about what was going on and always shared memories when speaking to you. Gone, but not forgotten.
Harold Jones
February 06, 2022 | Friend
It is with my deepest symphony and heartfelt sorry that I express my condolence of your loss.
For those of us that truly knew John Paul, know that we truly loss a great man and a true friend.
This void will never be filled.
James Savoy
March 15, 2014 | Perris, CA
May God continue to give you all strength during this very difficult time. PSALMS 121. RIP Mr.J.P.Davis
LaKista Davis
February 18, 2014 | Beaunont, TX
I also am from Bay City, TX. I now live in Port Neches and while serving jury duty with judge Davis he made it a point to tell me he had fond memories of Bay City after the trial. I just lost my father, Sam Maglitto , who was an icon of Bay City. He worked for BCISD for over 30 years. I know how hard this is ,but he was so loved and a great man. Delaine Faseler
Delaine Faseler
February 17, 2014 | Port Neches, TX
I was honored to have met the Judge and Mrs. Davis only one time. I was visiting from Aurora, Colorado and was a visitor in their new home. Judge Davis appeared as everyone attest to in their sympathy messages. He and Mrs. Davis were very warm and I immediately felt the warmth of the Judge. My Sympathy to his Family, and Pray his memories will bring you comfort.
Norma Jean Lucus
February 17, 2014 | Aurora, CO
I saw his tv interview with Jackie Simien only a day or so ago, about the black education in Texas after the civil war, but NO written histories of who, how, where; so he had set his goal to record these notable events and people, and had just completed his book, "Who will Remember Us?" I was spellbound thru the entire story. Summed up: "Education is essential to good life; but: Education can't correct the actions of a fool!" Rest in peace Judge, your work is finished....now it's up to...
Anonymous Listener
February 16, 2014
To the Davis Family may peace and faith be with you.
Bernadine Young
February 16, 2014 | Beaumont, TX
In Loving Memory of Judge John Paul Davis
To the Family, Friends, Associates and Church Members (Antioch Missionary Baptist Church) of Judge John Paul Davis:
John was a man of honor and integrity. When I worked his campaign, the question that he asked me was: Did he need to open an office in our city? I did a survey and advised him that the results yielded that 9 out of 10 people said they would vote for him beyond a doubt and if he would go out, meet with each of the...
Sevenfold747 Betty and Kimberly Kiel
February 16, 2014 | TX
Judge Davis was a man of integrity and honor. You will truly be missed uncle.May God be with you and the family.
Julius Anderson
February 15, 2014 | Bay City, TX