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Obit: Friday, November 5, 1976,
(Can not read the name of the Newspaper) J. L. Davis Services Set
Services for Jack L. Davis, 43, Midwest City, named "Volunteer of the Year" in 1976 by the Oklahoma Association for Retarded Citizens, will be at the First Christian Church, Midwest City. Burial will be in Arlington Memory Gardens under the direction of Paylor's Funeral Home.
Davis died Wednesday at Midwest City Hospital after an apparent heart attack.
Born in Picher, he was employed with the state Department of Public Transportation as an office engineer for 15 years. He was a member and a deacon at the First Christian
Church in Midwest City. He was a graduate of Madill High School and attended Central State University and the University of Oklahoma.
Active in community and state affairs, Davis was a president of Midwest City Jaycees and a founder and president of Mid-Del Association for Retarded Children. He also served two terms as president of the Oklahoma Association for Retarded Children and has been a vice president of the Oklahoma Jaycees, as well as holding several
chairmanships and other offices for both organizations locally and statewide. He was a state adviser for "Teens Aid the Retarded" for five years.
In 1970, he was the state chairman for the "Rub Out Rubella" campaign responsible for the inoculation of more than 250,000 young Oklahoma children. He also was instrumental in promotion and passage of legislation for Mandatory Special Education in Oklahoma.
Survivors include his wife, Helen Joan; a son, John P., and two daughters, Kelly L. and Debbie, all of the home; a brother, Charles James, Kingston and a sister, Leila
Koscove, Denver.
Memorials may be made to the Oklahoma Association for Retarded Citizens, 923 W. Britton Road, Oklahoma City.
Above obituary typed from my copy of the newspaper clipping.
Note: I attended the funeral for my "Uncle Jackie", there were many notable Oklahoma State dignitaries there. The Church
was full with many people overflowing to the outside of the Church. The funeral procession was conservatively over 2 miles long at the point that I looked out the back window at the top of a hill. I could not actually see the last car of the procession.
Uncle Jackie, was a wonderfully sweet energetic man with a
non-stop sense of humor. He was a geologist and had many years of
college education that would afford anyone a more than comfortable
lifestyle. For several years before his passing he had turned to
giving his time helping others. He was "on call" 24/7 to
judges, police and social services to help a child in trouble.
Liz (Frankel) Gunderson.
Actual Citation is this cover page:
THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA
CITATION
Whereas, with the passing of Jackie Lee Davis, Oklahoma has lost a truly great leader and a steadfast friend of the less fortunate, for Papa Jack, was an inspiration for every Oklahoman to follow in his devotion to the betterment of the lives of Oklahoma's mentally retarded and physically disabled, and his love, compassion, and understanding of his fellowman cannot be expressed in mere words; Therefore, it is the sad honor of the Senate of the State of Oklahoma to commend the life and accomplishments of this
extraordinary Oklahoman and to share with his widow, Helen, a deep sense of loss.
Now therefore, pursuant to the motion of:
Senator James F. Howell
the Senate extends to Mrs. Helen Davis on behalf of Jackie Lee Davis
sincere COMMENDATIONS and directs that this Citation be
presented.
(Seal of The State of Oklahoma Senate)
Signed by:
Gene C. Howard,
President Pro Tempore
James F. Howell,
State Senator, District 42
Lee Slater,
Secretary of the Senate
Attached: PAGE 1 of Resolution:
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 36th Legislature (1977)
SENATE RESOLUTION NO.
_______
BY: HOWELL
AS INTRODUCED
A RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND
DEDICATION OF MR. JACKIE LEE DAVIS;
EXTENDING
LEGISLATIVE CONDOLENCES TO HIS WIDOW;
AND
DIRECTING
DISTRIBUTION.
WHEREAS, Jackie Lee Davis also known as "Big Jack" or
"Papa Jack" has been a true inspiration and a wonderful
friend to people, touching numerous hearts and lives in his varied
endeavors, most of which were so greatly above and beyond the
required call of any man; and
WHEREAS, active in community and state
affairs, Mr. Davis was a founder and president of the Mid-Del
Association for Retarded Children, served two terms as president
of the Oklahoma Association for Retarded Children (O.A.R.C.), held
several chairmanships and other offices in O.A.R.C. locally and
statewide, including five years as State Advisor for the
"TARS" or "Teens Aid the Retarded", and was
named Volunteer of the Year for 1976 by O.A.R.C.; and
WHEREAS, through Mr. Davis's leadership,
many persons have witnessed great steps taken in the O.A.R.C. from
local chapters and towns in the State of Oklahoma and a great deal
of impact throughout the nation has been felt because of Mr.
Davis's positive, dedicated and imaginative leadership; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Davis has served many years
in extremely active roles as an Oklahoma Jaycee, with
responsibilities including local offices, the Oklahoma Jaycee
State Vice President and several state chairmanships, serving with
dignity, honor, imagination and result-bearing hard work; and
Attached: Page 2 of Resolution:
WHEREAS, a lifetime Jaycee, Mr. Davis was
named a Senator of Junior Chamber International; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Davis's major concerns in
all his activities have been in the areas of assistance to, and
the understanding of, the needs of the mentally retarded, being
able to motivate and excite other young men, women and families
into true, positive action for the final benefit of the mentally
retarded; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Davis was instrumental in
promotion and passage of legislation for Mandatory Special
Education in Oklahoma; and
WHEREAS, the Equity Pre-School Center,
established for children aged 3 to 5 with various handicaps, now
in its second year, was founded by someone who cared enough and
had foresight and leadership - Jack Davis; and
WHEREAS, "Rub Out Rubella" or
"Rubella Sunday" of 1970 which shall never be forgotten
by at least 6,000 Jaycees, a statewide Jaycee program in which
over 250,000 young children were inoculated to ward off a dreaded
epidemic of Rubella destined to take over in our part of the
country, was directed and guided by Jack L. Davis.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE
SENATE OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 36TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:
THAT the lifelong accomplishments and
dedication of Mr. Jackie Lee Davis to his fellow man, the State of
Oklahoma and this country be and are hereby praised and
commemorated.
THAT the Senate extends its heartfelt
condolences to Helen J. Davis, widow of the late Jackie Lee Davis.
THAT a copy of this Resolution be sent to
Helen J. Davis.
36-1-560 AH:rg
1/5/77
Typed by Liz (Frankel) Gunderson, from my copy of the
Resolution and Citation. The Resolution and Citation were
presented to My Aunt Helen and her surviving children with my Uncle
Jim (Jackie Lee's brother), on the floor of the Oklahoma State
Senate.
Jackie
Lee Davis in tree . . .
Last Updated ~ October 31, 2003
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