James Davis, 75, passed away Aug. 11, 2009, at the William B. Ryrie Hospital in Ely, Nev., of cancer. Jim was born July 3, 1934, in Eldorado, Illinois to Joe and Leona (Smith) Davis.

He was the sixth child in a family of seven. He had six brothers and one sister. Jim quit school his sophomore year of high school and enlisted in the United States Air Force.

He had a rank of Airman Third Class. After being discharged, he married Nancy Funkhouser on Oct. 2, 1954, in Mt. Vernon.He is survived by his wife Nancy; and his three children, Nancy Jean Elbertson, wife of Howard Elbertson, Rhonda Romans of Ely, Nev., and Mark Davis, husband of Bethany Davis of McGill; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Glen Davis, Nick Davis and Jack Davis of Illinois; and one sister, Calleen Briner of Henderson, Nev.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three older brothers.

Jim worked at the Nevada Test Site for 25 years, where he started as a carpenter and was promoted to foreman. He eventually became general foreman over Area Three. He and Nancy purchased property in Ely, White Pine County, Nevada in 1987 and have been residents since then. Their children soon joined them and became residents. Jim retired at the age of 62, but soon became bored with retirement and went to work at Foreland Refinery until January of this year.

Jim enjoyed his family and his friends. He loved hunting, fishing and all sports and always looked forward to football season and the NFL on TV. He loved horses and rodeos, and he participated in all these sports as a young man.

A memorial service will be held at Mountain Vista Chapel on Saturday at 10 a.m. Pastor Cyle Jones of the First Baptist Church will be officiating. After the service, a potluck dinner is planned by the Ely Elks Lodge where his family and friends will celebrate his life.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: August 20-21, 2009
Submitted by: Nancy Funkhouser Davis