James D. Davis

Davis, James D. 

Age 50, passed away Friday, June 7, 2019. He was born in Albuquerque, NM on December 23, 1968, to Wesley and Kay (Katherine) Davis. He graduated in 1986 from Manzano High school and went on to major in Biology with Concentration in Botany and minor in Asian Studies. James married Sonya Vermilya in Albuquerque, NM on October 20, 1996. He worked in all areas of the restaurant industry while pursuing his education, approximately 26 years. James last worked at County Line as a night manager until he had to leave due to increased disability from the MS. He also worked part time building cables at his brothers business for several years until he was unable to, due to the MS. James had several special accomplishments including, Scuba Diving Certification, Certified as a Wild Water Rafting Guide, obtained permits to work with endangered species of native plants and cactus, and he enjoyed doing hummingbird research with Dan True, author. He has several special interest including, reading, crossword puzzles, linguistics, skate boarding, surfing, hiking, bungee jumping, cliff diving, rock climbing, martial arts, sky diving, landscaping, harvesting seeds, doing research with seeds, gardening, cooking, especially Asian food, jewelry making, educating others about plants and gardening, watching the hummingbirds and learning their ways, fishing and camping. James loved life and spending time with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Wesley K. Davis; grandmothers, Mary L. Spackeen, Violet Davis Corliss, Ethel May Cain; grandfathers, Paul J. Spackeen; Lester J. Davis, Harry W. Gerlach, Jack Corliss; great-grandmothers, Ethel Gifford, Ethel Spackeen; uncle, Jack L. Davis; father-in-law, Wallace Riggsbee;  brother-in-law, Michael Kovalski.

James is survived by his wife of 22 years, Sonya Davis; son, Spencer J. Davis; mother, Kay (Katherine) Davis-Thompson; step-father, Virgil P. Thompson, Sr.; step-mother, Amy Davis; uncle, Stanley (Unkie) Gerlach; uncle, David Spackeen; aunt, Twalla Brown and husband Dan with numerous cousins; aunt, Darla Davis; sister, Laura L. Davis; brother, John Davis and wife Stephanie and their children Joshua, Dulea, and Caleb; sister, Gail E. Davis and partner Dennis Vargo; step-brother, Virgil P. Thompson, Jr.; step-sister, Helen Thompson Ireland and her daughter Abigail; step-brother, Lt. William Thompson and wife Mayela and their children Matt and Luke; step-brother, Derek Lucero and wife Carolyn; Lifelong best friend, Cliff Garrett and family; mother-in-law, Janie Riggsbee; brother-in-law, Raymond Bates and wife Shelly Feichko; sister-in-law, Dorothy Skinner and partner Manny Armendarez; sister-in-law, Shari Hovey and husband Carson and their two children; brother-in-law, John Kovalski. 

Thank you so much for the constant care and concern from the staff at Las Palomas Care Facility. Great job!! Everyone tried to make it as good for him as they could!! A special thanks to James roommate, Paul Kiker for making the life there more bearable, knowing they watched out for each other. They had many great conversations and shared interests!

Thank you for all the care at UNM Hospital for all the times James was there. The staff was great and they all worked real hard to do what they could to help him.

A special thanks to Dr. Ford and the staff at the MS Research Clinic for getting James in the trials and helping him along for a better outcome.

James faced life challenges courageously head on, with an attitude of: OK what can I still do, not what I can't do.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Heritage Christian Fellowship, 11104 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, with a reception to follow. 
   
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the National MS Society: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/. Nearly one million people are living with MS in the United States, more than twice the original estimate from a previous study. Alternatively, consider planting a tree in James name with the Evergreen Society at https;//www.americanforests.org/ways to give. Click on plant trees and find an area to plant in memory of someone and go from there. 

Daniels Family Funeral Services
7601 Wyoming Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-821-0010