Obituary of James Douglas Davenport

James (Jim) Douglas Davenport of Perdido Key passed away March 6, 2023 as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident just a short distance from home. Born May 9, 1942 in Fairfield, Alabama. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, James C. (Cliff) Davenport and Marjorie S. (Margie) Davenport, along with his younger brother David.

He attended parochial schools including Saint Catherine’s Elementary and John Carroll High Schools. His Catholic schooling, and the incredibly devoted nuns that were his educators left a lifelong and positive impression on him. After graduating from John Carroll, he entered Auburn University as a Pre-Veterinarian Student. He often admitted that he ceased to be interested in pursuing that degree with the very first required pregnancy check of a cow. He went on to pledge Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, participate in ROTC and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1966.

Upon graduation he attended Marine Corps Officer Training and was commissioned a US Marine Officer, was ordered to pilot-training, received his Naval Aviator wings and was ordered to his first Marine squadron.

Jim established a reputation for piloting excellence from the beginning and was the “particularly desired to fly with” pilot. This became especially true in his 236 combat missions in Vietnam. ‘Fly with Jim, hit the target. Come home. A simple recipe’ for getting through a tough war safely and with honor.

Jim could be finicky, even in the cockpit: it is reported that on one night combat flight his Bombardier/Navigator could not radar locate the target in rugged terrain. Suddenly the Bombardier/Navigator felt himself pushed forward in the seat straps as the aircraft rapidly decelerated from 420. In his demand for precision, Jim had deployed the speed brakes and flaps. The airplane hung on the wing leading edge in slow flight. “Can you find it now?” was Jim’s impatient query. And this was the Jim we loved. Demanding. Perfectionist. On target. The enemy had nowhere to hide. The target was located and destroyed.

Combat flying was agreeable for Jim. Enemy ground fire was heavy night after night. Jim flew with a fearless, aggressive spirit consistent with Marine tradition and ignored the enemy fire for one full year of combat.

Jim and most of his brothers-in-arms came home to the USA about the same time, and as the new experts, many were assigned to the A6 training squadron, Marine All Weather Attack Training Squadron - 202, Cherry Point, N.C. The balance of his years in the Marines there flying the A-6 and TC-4C training aircraft, preparing the next crews for rotation to combat flying. Again, Jim’s esteemed pilot status stood out and his students hung on every word he spoke. He was excellent. Among his commendations: Fifteen Air Medals, Two Distinguished Flying Crosses, Navy Commendation Medal and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

Upon re-entering civilian life, Jim was employed by 13th Colony as Private Pilot to the President, and soon after was employed as Assistant to the President of that development company. There he learned the building and development business, and later went on to establish his own building and development company Davenport Companies, Inc in Birmingham, AL. Developing and building apartments, condominiums, office complexes, sports/fitness facilities and some of the most beautiful subdivisions and homes in Jefferson County, AL.

In classic Davenport fashion, when adaptation was called for, he adapted. In 1989 Jim moved he and his wife Alison to the Alabama gulf coast where they established what he called “a fresh start” together. Jim attended Pensacola Junior College and earned his Registered Nursing Degree graduating at the top of his class. He went on to work as an Emergency Room nurse, and later with Alison formed an independent wound care company.

Through it all, Jim’s eye for what communities need; quality development and construction never faltered, and he served as a consultant to developers, as well as developed apartments, office buildings and built speculative homes in Destin and Perdido Key. One of his favorite projects was the Sacred Heart Youth Soccer Field, that he negotiated and paid for “incognito” resulting in a secure a year around location for youth of the area to participate in recreational soccer.

In later years, he authored a novel and began playing Duplicate Bridge. As with all things, he did this with gusto! He became an active participant in the American Contract Bridge League playing in Fairhope, AL, Gulf Shores, AL and Pensacola, FL. He adored his bridge family, and loved lavishing doughnuts, meals and parties upon them.

Jim did parties well too. He was known for them throughout his life. He loved bringing people together and keeping them in touch. Long after he left the Marine Corps, he sponsored reunions, dinners and parties that kept the group in solid touch over the years. Jim is deeply loved by his Marine aviator fellows and will be sorely missed.

Last year as he marked his 80th Birthday, he organized a Birthday Party for himself at the Nix Center in Fairhope, AL where 80 players enjoyed a beautiful meal, lots of good wine and entertainment that only Jim Davenport could design. His sister-in-love Amanda Rabb Klimko traveled from Trussville, AL to play the piano, and lead the guests in “I Just Don’t Look Good Naked Anymore”, and his wife Alison along with four of his precious bridge friends performed as The Village People –“ YMCA”.

Jim leaves behind his loving wife of 37 years Alison (Rabb) Davenport and three children; Stewart (Mary) Davenport of South Pasadena, California, Ashley (Jake) Linder of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, their mother and dear friend Loretta Hood of Vestavia Hills, Alabama; Austin (Tallulah) Davenport of New Orleans, Louisiana, grandchildren; Houston, Madeline, Luke, Shiloh and Maude. Two surviving brothers; Mike Davenport of Atlanta, Georgia and Larry Davenport of Huntsville, Alabama. Many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Jim’s remains will be interred at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola Naval Air Station. April 21, 2023 at 10:30 AM. Anyone wishing to process to the cemetery must meet at Olive Baptist Church Warrington, 103 W Winthrop Avenue, Pensacola, FL by 10:00am.

His wit, storytelling, generosity and humor will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.

 

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