Alden Evan Davis Jr.

Alden Evan Davis, Jr. , a native of Mobile, was born on April, 16, 1926 and passed away on January 30, 2017 at his home in Coden. He was the oldest son of Alden Evan Davis, Sr. and Inez Rabby Davis. Raised in Coden, Alden graduated from Alba High School in 1943 where he lead the school’s team to a county championship in Six Man Football and served as the Valedictorian of his class. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. While waiting for his Oath of Enlistment and assignment, Alden attended the University of Texas for one semester where he was an invited walk-on for the Longhorn football team. In November 1943, he received his Navy assignment and reported to Millsaps College for training in the V-12 Navy Flyer Program, where Johnny Carson was one of his classmates. The Navy also sent him to Northwestern University for Midshipman School and to Princeton University for training in Advanced Weaponry. In early 1945, as a 19 year-old Lieutenant JG, Alden was sent to the newly constructed Aircraft Carrier USS MIDWAY as a Gunnery Officer, where he completed shakedown cruises to Haiti and the Arctic Circle before the end of WWII. He and his crewmates were always disappointed that they never saw battle engagement during the war. He served in the U.S. Navy until 1946 and is a plank holder on the USS MIDWAY. After his discharge, Alden returned to Millsaps, where he was a member of the football team and Kappa Alpha Order. He earned a B.S. degree in Physics. It was while attending school at Millsaps that he met his wife of 68 years Ann Porter of Jackson, Mississippi. Alden returned to Mobile in 1950 to take the helm of his family business, Davis Nurseries Inc. in Coden, where he served as owner for 65 years. He was a well-respected nurseryman. Under his cultivation and leadership, hundreds of thousands of camellias and shrubberies were sold all over the southeast. Davis Nurseries’ camellias can be found on the grounds of the Alabama Governor’s Mansion, Bellingrath Gardens and public gardens throughout the southeast. His camellias have been featured in gardening books and trade publications for decades. Alden was a long-time member of the Southern Nurserymen’s Association. Alden was smart, hard-working and witty, with a great laugh; a man's man. He was an outdoorsman and an avid golfer. His love of golf led him to be one of the founding members of Skyline Country Club. He and Ann spent many happy years playing golf and spending time with friends there. He was a two-time Club Champion and a former course record holder. Alden was predeceased by his parents and his oldest daughter, Caroline Davis Coker. He is survived by his wife Ann Porter Davis and four children: Alden E. Davis, III; Margaret P. Johnston; Douglas B. Davis (Rhonda) and Joel B. Davis (Lynn) all of Mobile; and 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Dr. George V. Davis of Point Clear, a dedicated nephew, nieces, and cousins. The Davis family would like to thank Jan Novell for her care and dedication. An inurnment service will be held on Friday, February 3, 2017 at 11 a.m. in Pine Crest Cemetery located at 1939 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, AL 36605.