James Edward Davis
11/02/1944 – 06/25/26
Jim passed this past week after succumbing to natural health issues that developed over the past year. He was 81. Jim was born In Detroit in 1944 and he and family moved back to his mother’s family farm in Kentucky right after the WW2 ended. The family moved to Elkhart, Indiana where he lived most of his adult life, until moving to Porter County in 1987. He attended Elkhart High School (home of the Blue Blazers) and graduated in 1963.
Jim had many different jobs in adulthood, most revolving around industry, mechanics, or restaurant management. He worked at CTS for almost a decade, working his way up from a machine operator - building automotive components, to being Work Team leader for different assembly lines on second shift operations. He will probably be best remembered for his 15 years or so at McDonald’s corporation, where he worked his way up to manager and at least twice won the prestigious Pyramid Award for most profitable store within the South Bend region. He retired from CSI in Valpo where he led their Facilities and Maintenance department.
Jim was a master mechanic and enjoyed working on - and restoring classic cars. He bought his first car (a Studebaker) at 15 and taught himself car repair … which led to his lifelong passion for mechanics. He was the only guy on his block to have a car at age 16 … he was quite popular offering rides to friends and others. After high school, he was a local race driver / pit crew mechanic and was the recipient of numerous trophies and awards. He was total GM guy: though at least once he owned a Plymouth … He never owned a Ford or a foreign made product.
For many years, Jim and family enjoyed boating on Lake Michigan and had 4 different boats over a 30 year or so period. He also enjoyed golfing and at least once witnessed a golfing companion achieve a “Hole in One”. While living in Elkhart, Jim donated blood regularly ... so much in fact, that Elkhart General Hospital did not charge his father for blood transfusions during his hospital stays. When his son Scott was born, the hospital would not release Liz and the baby until the bill was paid, so he went to the bank and had the entire amount given to him all in change and promptly returned to the hospital and paid the bill (he patiently waited while they counted it). He enjoyed “Greg’s Volcano Pizza” and Pepsi his entire life.
Jim is survived by wife Liz, son Scott and 2 sisters Virginia and Linda.
At his request, he will be cremated and no memorial services will be held. Condolences may be sent to the family.
