Mr. Donald Edward “Bo” Davis, Sr.
September 1, 1943 – April 23, 2019
Donald Edward (Bo) Davis, Sr., age 75, of Griffin, GA, passed away on April 23, 2019 at Eternal Hope Hospice in Griffin, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his father, John Jefferson Davis, his step-father and mother, John Winfred Harrison and Sybil Clary Davis Harrison, and his brother, John Conan Harrison.
Don is survived by his wife, Charlotte Cadenhead Davis of Griffin, Georgia; children: son, Donald (Beau), Jr. and wife, Magan of Irving, Texas with their children, Clay, Hailey, Holly and Cason; daughter Nicole Harris and husband, Shane of Barnesville, Georgia with their children, Tucker, Wyatt, Madelyn, Elisha, Malachi and Lily; son, Benjamin of Griffin, Georgia; and daughter Charity Armstrong and husband, Matt of Griffin, Georgia with their children, Caden and Carter; brother , John Wayne Davis and wife, Susan of Marianna, Florida; 2 nieces, Gina Harris and Jennie Kroeger and 2 nephews , Josh Harrison and Jordan Harrison.
Don was born in Laurel Hill, Florida on September 1, 1943, to John Jefferson and Sybil Clary Davis, but was raised by his mother, Sybil, and step-father, John Winfred Harrison. He graduated from Laurel Hill School High School in 1961. Immediately out of high school, Don joined the U.S. Army, advancing to the rank of Staff Sargent while serving in the Army Special Forces, the Military Police and the Criminal Investigation Division.
On June 22, 1968, Don married Charlotte Cadenhead Davis and 18 days later was sent to Vietnam. During his tour of duty, he was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” Device and the Bronze Star with First Oak Leaf Cluster for heroism in armed conflict with enemy forces. His tour of duty was cut short on Thanksgiving Day in 1968, by a sniper’s bullet, earning him a Purple Heart Award. After recovering from his injury, Sargent Davis was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, where he served as an M.P. and then as a Criminal Investigator until he left the military in 1971 and moved with his family to Tallahassee in order to attend Florida State University. He graduated from FSU in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology.
During his years at Florida State, Don supplemented the family income as a bass fishing guide on local lakes. After graduating, he spent a year as a guide on lakes in the central Florida before accepting a position with Delta Airlines and moving his family to College Park, Georgia. During his 28 years at Delta, he advanced to the position of Supervisor in the Logistics Department, retiring in 2005.
In Georgia, Don began fishing bass tournaments, and his knowledge and expertise landed him many sponsors who provided boats, trailers, motors and fishing tackle over the years. In 1986, the Davis family moved to Griffin, looking for a less hectic environment. Two years later, Don and Fred McGhin of Southern Pit Barbeque Restaurant began a bass fishing tournament trail named Partners Tournament Trail. Two years later, Don and Charlotte assumed full ownership and changed the name to Dixie Bass, Inc., operating the business together until 2005.
Don was a member of Union Baptist Church in Griffin, GA, having joined after the Lord Jesus Christ delivered him physically and spiritually during a brush with death in 2006 because of a rare disease. He was a heroic man who loved his Lord, his wife, and his family. That rough-tough exterior always melted away to reveal his huge teddy-bear heart anytime his children or grandchildren needed him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Funeral services for Mr. Donald Edward “Bo” Davis, Sr. will be held on Friday, April 26, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home with military honors. Rev. Tim Conort will officiate. Friends may visit with the family Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Union Baptist Church Building Fund at 1405 N McDonough Road, Griffin GA 30223.
Heritage Funeral Home 1512 Williamson Rd. Griffin, GA 30224 is in charge of arrangements. www.heritagefhgriffin.com