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Sometimes life doesn't
play fair. John Davis, coach, father, friend and neighbor, passed away
very suddenly doing what he loved to do most - coaching soccer. It's hard
to understand why a man 44 years young was taken so soon, but the circle
of lives he touched and influenced has tremendous depth and expanse.
One of John's passions was coaching soccer
for several teams, and this passion and dedication to the young people
at the Cherokee County Outdoor YMCA earned him the title of Volunteer
of the Year in 2002. According to Ansley Crouch, Youth Sports Director
of the YMCA, it wasn't unusual for John to coach five or six teams per
season. He was also a Pathfinder of the Month for The TowneLaker
based on his work with the soccer program and other volunteer endeavors.
C.J. Flynn was one of John's assistant coaches, and he describes John
as a great man and a great coach. "John reached everyone with his leadership
and selflessness," states C.J. He continued, "This was evident at the
service for John. The crowd was made up of friends, co-workers and children
in soccer uniforms. They filled the chapel, the vestibule and spilled
out to the parking lot."
John worked at Equifax where his dry sense
of humor and willingness to help out anyone anytime is remembered fondly
by his co-workers. According to Julie Skadowski, John had a great sense
of humor and loved to kid around. His desk was filled with homemade Father's
Day cards, pictures of his children and according to Julie, "the fastest
keyboard strokes I had ever heard." Nancy Sweat remembers John as the
person who would leave her and the night crew a copy of the
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paper to read during breaks. "That thoughtful
gesture and his easy smile are remembered now every time we see a newspaper,"
said Nancy.
John is also remembered
and missed by his neighbors, many of whom were close friends. Tom and
Terrie Sullivan recall meeting John for the first time when they needed
jumper cables. He couldn't help them with the cables, but an enduring
friendship began. Tom convinced John to join him as his Assistant Coach
for the boys' soccer team, and the rest is history. According to Tom,
John was extremely humble. In fact, John never told his parents, Claire
and Don, about his awards and honors. They were overwhelmed by the awards
and the amount of people at the service.
A memorial fund
has been set up for John's surviving children, Christopher, Kendrew and
Elizabeth. Donations can be sent in care of the John Davis Memorial Fund
at any Wachovia Bank branch. Christopher wishes to thank the community
for all the support and generosity.
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