Hoyt "Buddy" Davis

Born in 1928 in Horry County South Carolina to David (Frank) and Ruth Davis, he graduated from Aynor High School, and then attended Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina. He subsequently moved to Wilmington NC to work for the Atlantic Coastline Railroad (later called Seaboard Coastline, and eventually, CSX) where he met the love of his life, Ann Elizabeth Hurst, in 1948. They were married in 1950 and relocated to Jacksonville in 1960 when the railroad moved their main offices. He retired after 40 years from CSX railroad in 1988, having worked in many management capacities over the years, such as Assistant Director of Transportation Services. Along the way, he applied an abundance of formidable skills, judgment and expertise to manage various aspects of operations, as well as hiring and mentoring a multitude of people. During his employment and for years into his retirement, many of those he had hired, counseled and guided reached out to him to thank him for the huge opportunities he had provided to start them on their careers and keep them on a beneficial path.

He loved music and sang in church choirs from early childhood and throughout his life, including some solo work. As a devoted member of Southside United Methodist Church, he served in many capacities, including the board, choir, and song leader for his Sunday School class.

Buddy and Ann enjoyed 34 years of retirement, where they loved to travel all over the contiguous U.S., Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii and Mexico with family and friends, including many sea cruises, road trips and countless flights. They would often begin planning their next trip before they had finished unpacking from the previous one. They spent a week or more each year at a beach house north of Saint Augustine with family and friends, and made multiple trips to both Las Vegas and Sanibel Island, which they loved.

Also in retirement, his adventurous spirit brought Buddy into the entertainment industry, and after completing some acting courses, his distinguished good looks landed him many parts as an extra in both television and film productions that were taking place all around the city and beaches, including a “featured extra” role as a prison chaplain in the TV series Pointman. He was even utilized, to his great amusement, as a foot model in a medical informational video and booklet. He met a number of celebrities during his years in the entertainment industry, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

After CSX, he also voluntarily served for over 28 years in the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and was a board member who was part of many committees as well.

Additionally, he volunteered at the Community Hospice Thrift Store for 15 years, organizing and pricing clothing in the men’s department.

Buddy was for most intents and purposes, a modern day “Renaissance Man”, able to accomplish a wide range of tasks, pretty much anything to which he applied himself. During his railroad years, he became an expert typist and was extremely adept at shorthand. Both before and after retirement, armed with his trusty tape measure and tool box, he completed a vast spectrum of many home improvement projects, both inside and out, including painting, carpeting and design and construction of various structures, also donating his time to friends in helping them build a three level state-of-the-art beach house in Ponte Vedra. He was a fantastic cook, passing along many related skills to his children. He made clothes from scratch, and repaired many items as well.

Buddy was a “People” person, enjoying parties, events and informal gatherings throughout his long, robust, full life. He loved people and they loved him. He once told his son, “Life is People”. His children reached out to him throughout his life for advice and support, and he never let them down, always providing them with his knowledge, experience and time-tested good judgment, based on the wise philosophy of moderation and common sense that he learned from his own father, who was also a nonagenarian.

Buddy was known for his quick humor, loving spirit, intelligence, wisdom, generosity and humility, and for his love and devotion to his family and God. In his final notes, he underlined those last words.

He faced his final battle with incredible courage, strength, faith, and even a touch of humor, once again stepping up to be a role model for those closest to him, this time demonstrating how to confront the unconfrontable.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 72 years, Ann Hurst Davis (together for 74 years, including 2 years of “courting”), son Hoyt Davis, Jr., daughter Paula Davis, son-in-law Steve Mielke, beloved family cat RC (who spent many an hour purring and sleeping in his lap) and a multitude of nieces and nephews, including his niece Kathy Miller, who always stayed in close touch and offered support, especially during his time of illness. His South Carolinian roots made him part of a large loving family that included 3 brothers, 1 half brother and 2 half sisters, all of whom predeceased him.

A celebration of his life and interment of ashes will be held during a private family service at a yet-to-be-determined future date. For now, the 3 core family members will call upon the collective 196 years of happy memories that he left them. Buddy was beloved and irreplaceable, and the impact of his loss has been devastating. The family wishes to express its sincere appreciation and heartfelt gratitude for the enormous outpouring of affection and sympathy from so many in this unprecedented time of grief and loss. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations go to:

Community Hospice and Palliative Care

4266 Sunbeam Road

Jacksonville, FL 32257