Jonathan B. Davis

Jonathan Butler Davis went Home to glory away Saturday morning, June 27, 2009 at his home in Raleigh, NC after a long illness. Jon, born in Burlington, VT on July 30, 1938, was 70 years old. When he was a child, his family moved from Vermont to Tennessee, then to Shirley Center, MA where Jon spent most of his growing-up years. He graduated from Fitchburg High School in Fitchburg, MA in 1955 then attended the University of New Hampshire. Jon worked with the IBM Corporation in Garden City, Long Island for several years before moving to the Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, New York. Jon and his family later moved to Boca Raton, Florida to continue working with IBM. He received numerous citations and awards from IBM, among which was a Patent Award. A skilled hardware and software engineer, Jon was instrumental in designing and implementing a wide range of products for various companies, including a “cell call” system for Varig Airlines, which enables their pilots to reach the corporate headquarters in Rio de Janiero with just the push of one button. Jon was a talented actor and musician, appearing in a number of plays and musicals. As a gifted baritone, his voice enhanced numerous concerts. He and his wife, Marie, were also members of a classical ensemble and several choirs and choruses, where Jon performed solos as well as duets with Marie. Jon is survived by Marie Davis, his wife of 23 years; three sons by his first marriage, Christopher Davis of Atlanta, GA, Jeffrey Davis and his wife, Mary of Savannah, GA, Gary Davis and his wife, Debbie, of Mt. Carmel, TN. Jon has five grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. Jon is preceded in death by his parents, Nord and Pauline Davis of Shirley Center, MA, his older brother, Nord W. Davis, of Topton, NC, his sister, Polly Ann Dow of Pontiac, MI and his younger brother, Erik A. Davis of Monkton, VT. A visitation will be held Friday, July 3, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Rd., in Raleigh, (919) 832-8225. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Raleigh. A reception will follow that service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary’s Street, Raleigh, NC 2760; Wilson County Humane Society, P. O. Box 7064, Wilson, NC 17895-7046; or Safe Haven for Cats, 8431-137 Garvey Drive, Raleigh, NC 27616. Condolences may be made through www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com