James “Jim” Alfred Davis, 89, of Springfield, passed away Monday, September 5, 2016 at Memorial Medical Center.

Jim was born on February 22, 1927 in Ashland the son of John E. and Hallie Marie Duff Davis.  He married Bernice Braker of Alexander on November 8, 1952 in New Berlin.

Jim was a Square Dance Instructor and caller since 1948.  He has called in over 200 places including choreographer for dances and called in the movie “Awakening Land” for Jane Seymore, Elizabeth Montgomery and Hal Holbrook along with his wife Bernice Davis.  First and last square dance caller at Yatesville as of 2008.  Meritorious award for Early American Dance.  Charter member sets in order.  Self-taught Auctioneer by correspondence courses.  Auctioned for 20 years at Palmyra, Ashland and Woodson, Illinois.  Coached women’s fast pitch softball and was inducted into the ASA fast pitch softball Hall of Fame in 1986.  He coached the hall of fame team, the Rockettes for 45 years.  He coached as an assistant at Sacred Heart Griffin as well as head coach of Lincoln Land Community College for over 20 years.  He was inducted into the National Fast Pitch coaches’ Hall of Fame in 2008.  Inducted into the city of Springfield Sports Hall of Fame on March 30, 2004.  He was in the United States Army Engineers from 1950-1952.  He was a member of the American Legion and the DAV.  He was a President and Vice President in Rural Youth for over 25 years and is now an alumni.  He attended Centenary School in grades K-8 and grades 9-10 ½ at Ashland High School.  He finished up his high school education at Pleasant Plains in 1945 and then attended Western Illinois University from September 1945 to November 1945.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters, Lorena Fulton, Elsie Marie White, John Elmer Davis, Francis Lee Davis, Helen May Grant, W. Carroll Davis and W. Donald Davis.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, D. Bernice Davis: daughter, Debra Reznicek of Springfield; son, Dennis (wife, Rachel Boden) Davis of Lee’s Summit, MO; one sister, Joan Sturdy of Rochester; four grandchildren, Marcus (wife, Amy) and Maria Reznicek and Nicholas and Hallie Davis; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4-7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 9, 2016 at Ellinger-Kunz & Park Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be at 10:00 on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the funeral home with Pastors David McHenry and Dustin Fulton officiating.  Burial will follow at Pleasant Plains Cemetery with military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ashland Baptist Church, Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, or American Cancer Association.

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