Jimmie Joe Davis

Family-Placed Obituary

Jimmie Joe Davis, 74, passed away on Tuesday, July 20, 2004, at his home in Leander. Jimmie Joe was born on July 13, 1930, at the family farm east of Leander to John T. and Annie Bell Davis. He grew up helping his family on the farm and later worked at the Leander Rock quarry, at Texas Electric Cooperative and IBM. At the time of his death, he lived in one of the oldest homes in Leander, which was built over one hundred years ago and which had been in the family for the last 58 years. His greatest passion in life was music. He grew up listening to his father and older brothers play music. The youngest of five children he taught himself to play guitar at age nine and the fiddle at age 11. He became an accomplished fiddler, playing professionally over twenty- five years with the Mid-Tex Square Dance Association and in many places around the state of Texas. Named State Champion Fiddler in 1964, he won many fiddling contests through the years. In 2003, he was presented with a plaque by the Old Settlers Association for being one of the Reunion's original performers, first playing there at the age of 16. He missed only one time in all the years since. He began making fiddles when he was 19 and has made a total of 17 fiddles in all. He passed on his craft to his son, Jerry, who is now making his second fiddle. Alvin Crow, an internationally known Austin fiddler who has bought three of his fiddles said Jimmie Joe was the best fiddle maker he knew of in this area. Last year, the first fiddle Crow bought from Jimmie Joe was displayed for six months in an exhibit featuring fiddle player's fiddles at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Jimmie Joe was a member of the First Baptist Church in Leander. He was saved and baptized there seven years ago. Jimmie Joe is survived by his three children: daughter, Carolyn Bonnet and husband, Troy of Georgetown, son Jerry Davis and wife, Bessie of Liberty Hill, and son, Gary (Dude) Davis of Lake Travis; one grandson, Cody Bonnet and wife, Katie of Leander; one granddaughter, Alicia (Bonnet) Weimer and husband, Michael of Idaho Falls, Idaho; great- grandchildren, Stephen Weimer, Jessica Weimer, and Aja Bonnet. He is also survived by one sister, Imogene Starnes of Georgetown and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Stafford, Winford and Ralph Davis. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday July 22, 2004, at Beck Funeral Home in Cedar Park. The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 23, 2004, at Beck Funeral Home with Jimmie Joe's life- long friend, Pastor Don Duvall of Lockhart officiating. Burial will follow at Bagdad Cemetery in Leander. Pallbearers will be Cody Bonnet, Leroy Starnes, Glen Davis, Duey Walthers, Bill Cowan and Joe Stone. The family wishes to express their thanks to the many friends who called and visited during Jimmie Joe's illness, to Round Rock Hospital Staff and especially to Austin Hospice for the care and support they provided. Arrangements under the direction of Beck Funeral Home, Cedar Park/ Leander, 259-1610.