James Davis

James Arthur Davis was born in Haskell, Texas on September 14, 1945. James passed away on May 9th, 2026. A memorial service will be held at 10:00am, Monday, May 18, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Haskell, Texas. Pastor Brian Hevrin will be officiating. A visitation is planned from 6:00 to 7:00pm, Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the funeral home, 304 N 2nd Street, Haskell, Texas. Interment of the urn will follow services at Willow Cemetery, Haskell, Texas under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes, Haskell.

He was the son of Woodley James Davis and Alta Faye Lackey Davis. James attended school in Haskell and graduated from Haskell High school in 1964. James excelled in all sports with baseball his favorite. He received a tryout invitation from the New York Yankees but his heart was set on becoming a DPS Trooper. After graduation, James moved to Plainview, Texas working in construction. He then moved to Odessa, Texas in 1965 and worked in the refineries south of town. On July 31, 1968 James made the best decision of his life by attending the Department of Public Safety training academy in Austin. On November 22, James graduated from the academy and was stationed in Haskell. On his days of, he continued his education graduating from Western Texas College in1976 and Baylor University in 1979. His degrees were both in the field of criminal justice. After 27 years, James retired from the Department of Public Safety. After retirement, he worked for the Texas Boll weevil eradication foundation in Muleshoe and Lubbock, Texas as the Zone-vehicle safety officer. In 2004 James worked as a security officer at United Medical Center. In 2006, James moved to his lake house and took up the job of fishing.

James was a child of God and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Haskell. James was not a regular church attender but watched Sunday services on television. Oftentimes, when talking with friends, he was asked if he was afraid when at work. His response was always "Jesus is my partner and always rides in the vehicle with me.”

James was a loving and attentive father and grandfather. He was an avid outdoorsman and took his children and grandchildren hunting and fishing. As he got older, he became the all time bait hooker when fishing. He was in his element just spending quality time with them. He was involved in coaching youth sports and never missed anything his children or grandchildren participated in throughout school. He was always there for a pat on the back or a big hug. He always told each of his children and grandchildren how proud he was of them. James was a storyteller and would talk for hours about his time as a DPS officer. He loved to cook and was known for his homemade pecan pies around the holidays. He loved to search for arrowheads and artifacts in his spare time.

James married Elaine Middleton on May 9, 1964 and was blessed with three children. His children are son Jamey and wife Sherri of Stamford, son Jerry Carl and wife Cassy of Aztec, New Mexico, and daughter Missy Dutchover of Stamford. In January 16, 1996 he married Darla Peters and they had one son, Dakota Blake Davis of Haskell. He also has one stepdaughter, Ashley Vasquez of Wichita Falls, Texas.

James was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Glenda Davis Drinnon. He leaves behind 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by many.

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.