John Douglas Davenport Jr.

Doug was dearly loved by his family and many friends, including very caring colleagues at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Doug was a gentle, kind, genuine, and fun-loving person who brought much happiness to his family and friends.

Doug was born April 7, 1953, in Greenville, South Carolina. He was the son of Sarah Aiton Davenport and John Douglas Davenport, both deceased. He is survived by his long-time friend Keitha Faile; his sister Jane Rush Davenport and her long-time friend Jim Musselwhite,; his brother and sister-in-law Chris and Cathy Davenport; and his cousins Ginny Fraser Milam, Kay Fraser Mills, and Douglas Fraser Sullivan.

Doug attended the McCallie School in Chattanooga and Greenville Senior High School in Greenville, SC, and earned a BS in civil engineering from Clemson University, from which he graduated in 1979. In high school he enjoyed wrestling and playing football. At Clemson, he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and was very involved with the Student Union, including managing concerts. He moved to Atlanta following graduation from college and has worked for the State of Georgia Department of Natural Resources , Environmental Protection Division, for more than thirty years. He was a program manager in the Drinking Water Program of the Watershed Protection Branch. Doug was an excellent photographer and occasional painter, and enjoyed scuba diving, boating, Clemson athletic events, particularly football, and concerts. He had a great love for animals, including his two dogs – both rescued – and many other beloved pets over the years.

A memorial service will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, March 1, in the Mikell Chapel of the Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta. Suggestions for anyone wishing to make a donation in Doug’s memory include Cancer Wellness at Piedmont (Piedmont Hospital Cancer Center, Atlanta), and any animal-welfare-related charity, such as Best Friends Animal Society.