John G. Davis Jr.

John G. Davis, Jr., died suddenly on May 1st, 2023. Born on November 22, 1925, in Columbia, SC, he was the son of John G. Davis, Sr., and Emma Kennedy Davis. He attended Logan and Wardlaw schools, graduating in the last February graduation class of Columbia High School in 1943.He ushered at the “Strand” Theater and was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity while attending the University of SC. He entered the US Army in March 1944, training at Camp Blanding, FL, and became part of the 99th Infantry Division at Camp Maxey, TX. His unit was heavily engaged in the Battle of the Bulge, suffering large losses in men killed and captured. He returned to Belgium with “Battlefield Tours” in 1990 and attended numerous 99th Infantry Division reunions. He joined Kelly Paper Company in 1954 as a salesman, working in the wholesale paper business for over 50 years at Gulf States Paper, Columbia Paper and later Janpak. He was well liked by his associates, friends and customers. A deeply religious man, he was a lifelong member of Main Street UMC and a charter member of a 30-year breakfast prayer group. He is survived by sons Charles S. (Jan), James A. (Eleanor) and Joseph G. (Melanie), brothers in law Wiliam F. Wright, Ronnie Ray Wright and sister-in-law Susie Cordray and daughter in law Annette Davis, also granddaughters Lauren Ward (Bryan), Leigh Anne Davis, Janie Ambrose (Russell), Johanna Pilgrim (Daulton), Tammy Beagan (Brian) and grandson Landon Davis (Meredith). He has numerous nieces and nephews, and great grandchildren Frank Beagan, William and Andrew Davis, Lyle Ward, Emmeline and James Ambrose. He was predeceased by his wife of 68 years Betty W. Davis, his parents, and a sister Betty Davis Riser. The funeral service will be held Friday, May 5, 2023, at 2 pm in the chapel of Bush River Memorial Gardens Mausoleum with the Reverend Jody Flowers officiating. The visitation will be held at Temples-Halloran Funeral Home, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC at 1 pm on the day of the service.