James Herschel Davis, 74, of LaFayette, Georgia, died on Saturday, November 21, 2015, at his home, surrounded by his beloved family.
Herschel was born December 15, 1940, in Englewood, TN, to Pearl Jerome and Edna Shadden Davis and grew up in the embrace of a large, loving extended family. An athlete and scholar, he graduated with the 1958 class of Englewood High School and the 1965 class of Berry College, where he was a Dana Scholar. His college career was interrupted by a three-year stint in the U.S. Army, where he served in the Signal Corps.
At Berry College, he double-majored in math and physics, served as president of Circle K, and met the love of his life, Glenda Huggins, another Dana Scholar, whom he courted and married right after graduation. The two moved to Atlanta, where Herschel earned his master’s degree in applied physics at Emory University and Glenda taught elementary school. They soon welcomed the first of three daughters, Ellen Page, followed by Laurel Denise, and Alicia Noelle. Sharing a love of music, reading, and people, Herschel and Glenda celebrated 50 years of marriage in June of this year.
Professionally, Herschel combined his gifts for scientific analysis with his love for people throughout a long career in radiological health physics, working with Lockheed, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Southern Company, and forming his own consulting firm. At Southern Nuclear, his final position before retirement, Herschel especially enjoyed mentoring younger employees and collaborating with a team of warm and talented colleagues.
Herschel’s daughters say he was an exemplary Daddy, with a gift for listening, laughter, and loving them completely. He faithfully attended countless choral concerts, piano recitals, variety shows, and school events, always with a spirit of support and encouragement. He delighted in the talents and accomplishments of his daughters, and also of their friends, classmates, colleagues, and sons-in-law. As Grandad, Herschel continued to offer this blessing to his six grandchildren, making each one feel remarkably valued and loved.
“He was a truly extraordinary Renaissance man: scientist, math wiz, poetry lover, artist, musician, humorist, storyteller, a presence that lit up a room and made you feel like you're the most important person in it. He's absolutely the finest combination of a beautiful, brilliant mind and a loving, gracious spirit that I've ever experienced,” wrote one daughter.
Herschel was an active member of Smoke Rise Baptist Church in Stone Mountain, Ga., before moving to LaFayette. His faith in our loving, gracious Lord was deep and firmly rooted, and he was an avid student of scripture.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Glenda Huggins Davis, of LaFayette; his three daughters, Ellen Barski and her husband, Michael, Laurel Hanna and her husband, Patrick and Alicia Porterfield and her husband, Eric; grandchildren, Davis, Luke, Thomas, Amelia, Adele and Lila; a sister, Joyce Johnson, of Englewood; and a large extended family.
Family will receive friends at the First Baptist Church of LaFayette on Tuesday, Nov. 24, from 5-7 p.m. with the service to follow.
The arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.