James Howard Davis ’49 died May 28, 2015.
James Howard Davis ’49 passed away on May 28, 2015. He was born March 28, 1926, in Oso, Wash., to Jack and Ella Davis. He played football and baseball during his school years and was drafted to play baseball for the Seattle Rainiers during his senior year of high school. Soon baseball was put on hold as he joined the Navy during WWII. Later, he served in the Army during the Korean conflict. He came home with a Purple Heart. Once his military activities were complete, he attended Gonzaga and Pacific Lutheran College. After graduating from college, he started his career as a junior-high math teacher. This also provided him an opportunity to coach sports, which he did until he retired. In 1955, he met and married his wife, Ida Korsmo. Their first home was a converted chicken coop in Silverdale, where he taught school. Later they moved to Tacoma (to a real house), where he spent many years teaching at Stewart Junior High. In 1966, they moved to Puyallup, where they finished raising their family of seven children. Howard retired from teaching in the Federal Way School District in 1986. Although he retired from teaching, he continued to spend many years doing what he had done every year during the summer breaks from school: He built houses and apartments and additions to homes for friends and friends of friends. Over the years, he also managed to play on a few baseball teams in the Tacoma area. He was recognized and inducted into the Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball Old-Timers Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport. Howard was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Buckley for many years. Howard was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ida; his daughter, Jennifer Miller; three brothers, Clifford, Jack and Elmer Davis; and two sisters, Flora Murray and Roberta Smith. He is survived by six children, Barbara (Dennis) Rushforth and her children, Rachel Lugo, Misha Randall and Joe Brooks; MaryJane Landry and her children, Jacob, Adam and Amy Landry, and Melisa Martin; Janet (Randy) Groven and their children, Quincy Groven and Megan Alfredson; John (Laura) Davis and their children, Noah, Hannah and Sam Davis; Jack (Denise) Davis and their children, Zachary, Tyler and Brian Davis; and Jim (Melissa) Davis and their children, Merab, Ty, Mia and Mandi Davis. In addition, Howard is survived by 13 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. Also surviving Howard is a dear friend, Naomi Moos, whose companionship meant so much to him during his last years. Howard touched so many people during his life, through family relationships, friendships and teaching. He worked hard, played hard and cared deeply. We have learned much from his example, and will forever love and miss him.
