Jerome Ray "Jerry" Davis

Jerry Davis always believed that life, like advertising, was more fun when you didn't play it safe.
Jerry never did.
"Advertising," he'd say, "is the most fun you can have with your clothes on."
And boy, did he have fun.
Jerry Davis passed away on March 7, 2025, leaving behind a loving family, lifelong friends, a successful ad agency and a reputation for being the kind of guy you'd want as a friend.
A self-made man and gifted writer, Jerry opened Davis Ad Agency in 1976 with a phone, a desk, $1,500, two little kids at home and a big portfolio from Lawler Ballard – then one of the South's top creative agencies.
He went on to build what remains one of Hampton Roads' largest advertising agencies, thriving in an industry where so many others failed, shifting through the gears of time and technology and cultural change to connect his clients to people, no matter the times, the style, the platform, or what he was selling.
Born in Asheville, NC in 1944 and raised in Winston-Salem, NC, Jerry moved to Virginia Beach in 1971, where he was a long-time resident of the North End and ran his agency until his retirement in 2022. On any given night, you could find him at one of Virginia Beach's best restaurants, often at the bar with friends, telling stories with a big laugh and a classic North Carolina cadence that made every joke a little bit funnier and everyone there feel at ease.
Jerry loved good wine, good food, good art and good company. He was a sharp dresser with a sharp wit, a man who loved his blue suede shoes as much as his Porsche 911 and his Harley, which crossed the country with him nine times. He traveled the world, too, all throughout Europe and Morocco, with a special love for the people, places and flavors, but it was France that would lure him back year after year.
When the keyboard was quiet and the world a bit still, Jerry cherished his most important role as Dad and Papaw. Many hours were spent together on his porch swing, laughing and contemplating life. A childhood trumpeter, Jerry loved that his grandchildren played instruments too. With family, he relished holiday traditions, sharing and making a meaningful meal, traveling, and hearing about life's ups and downs. Jerry's joie de vivre and comical personality ensured there was rarely a dull moment.
Jerry is survived by his son, Brantley, daughter Southard (John), grandchildren: Braeden, Caroline, Watts and Davis, great grandchild Blair, a dog named Chloe that he secretly loved, and a legion of cherished friends, colleagues, cohorts and employees who will forever find joy in his memory.
A heartfelt thank you to the physicians who treated and rallied behind Jerry: Thomas Alberico, Virginia Oncology Associates, Charles Lisner, Sentara Dedicated Care Center, Sudha Jagarlamudi, Sentara Medical Group, and Elizabeth Gaughan, UVA Health – as well as the many compassionate nurses and health care team members who support them.
As an expression of sympathy, consider donating to melanoma research and clinical trials, sharing a meal or glass of wine with someone you love or someone who makes you laugh, taking a risk and wearing the white jeans with blue suede shoes, and looking for humor in everyday moments.
A service to honor Jerry will be held at Galilee Church on Friday, April 11 at 1 p.m., with a reception following at The Historic Cavalier Hotel.