Dates
Technical Sgt. (Ret.) Jesse T. Davis, 90, of San Angelo, Texas, passed away at Baycrest Senior Living on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at Robert Massie Riverside Chapel with Russ Frasier, chaplain for Concho Hearts Hospice, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.
He was born on July 2, 1933, in Durham, North Carolina to Johnny and Cornelia Ethel Davis. Jesse joined the U.S. Air Force in 1954 and completed basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio. After serving in various locations including two tours in Vietnam as a communication specialist. He subsequently was awarded the U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal for his dedicated service to the United States of America.
Jesse married the love of his life, Joanne Dawson of Durham, NC in 1956 and celebrated 58 years together prior to her death in 2014.
In 1976 Jesse retired from the Air Force and worked for RCA/General Electric as an area technician until his retirement.
His love of bowling started while he was in the Air Force and was a member of the Air Force bowling team. During his bowling career, he had numerous, league-sanctioned 300 (perfect score) games. Jesse joined the Senior Professional Bowler's Associate upon his retirement from RCA/GE and was an active member for 16 years traveling to various tournaments across the U.S. with his wife, Joanne, supporting him along the way.
Jesse was often seen as a staple in the San Angelo bowling community as he managed all the centers in town at one point or another and actively supported the Young American Bowling Alliance (YABA) as a coach. He most recently bowled in the senior leagues where he formed lifelong friendships. The best bowling advice he ever gave was simple, "Just roll the ball".
When he retired from the Senior PBA, he was left with an overabundance of bowling equipment much to the chagrin of his wife, since it had taken over the front room of their home. Longtime residents of San Angelo know exactly what he did with most of it -yard art. Shortly after his creation, he was "crowned" King Pin of College Hills by Rick Smith, writer for the Standard-Times.
Not one for speaking too much, he had a strong-silent type of demeanor and later in life developed an impeccable sense of comedic timing which often provided laughter and smiles to anyone around.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Cornelia Ethel Davis; older sisters, Marie Davis and Margie Hickman; younger brother, Johnny Howard Davis, his wife, Joanne Davis; and her constant four-legged companion, Kobe.
He is survived by his four children, Teresa Tigner and husband Steven of Crowley, Dirk Davis and his wife Debra of Cibolo, Belinda Gatlin and her husband William of San Angelo, and Trevor Davis: eight grandchildren, Joshua L. Tigner and wife Katie of Austin, Brian Tigner of San Antonio, Sarah Bethards and husband Drew of Minneola, Florida, Ryan Davis of San Angelo, Joanna Garcia and husband Alex of Round Rock, Mitchell Gatlin of San Angelo, Haley Lyssy and husband Braden of Poth, and Dylan Davis of Cibolo; two step-grandchildren, Bailey Ellis of Austin, and Kayla Ellis of Magnolia; two great grandchildren, Caroline Bethards and John William Bethards of Mineola, Florida, and a third great-granddaughter, Lyssy on the way.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request memorial donations be given to Concho Hearts Hospice, West Texas Rehabilitation Center, or the Wounded Warrior Project.
The family would also like to extend gratitude to the staff at Baycrest Senior Living who became a part of our family and Concho Hearts Hospice for their dedication and attention to Jesse during his time of need. Their support was priceless.