James Grady Davis

James Grady Davis, age 82, of Birmingham, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 7, 2026. He was born on November 24, 1943, in Augusta, Georgia, where his father was a flight instructor with the Army.

Jim was the son of Mayor and Mrs. James Corbett Davis, Jr., of Chickasaw, Alabama. He grew up in a happy and active family with three brothers: Billy, Ronnie, and Bobby Davis

Jim graduated from high school at seventeen and spent his four college years at the University of Alabama, where he was an athletic trainer for Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant’s football team. Those years left an indelible impression on him, and he carried tremendous respect for Coach Bryant throughout his life. As a trainer, Jim taped countless ankles and cared for countless young athletes, and it was during those years that he discovered his calling to become an orthopedic surgeon. After graduating from Alabama, he attended medical school at UAB, completed his internship at Carraway Hospital, and returned to UAB for his residency in orthopedics.

Jim began attending the Alabama Orthopedic Society’s annual state meeting in 1975 as a resident, co-presenting a paper with Dr. Don Deinlein. After joining the orthopedic society’s group in 1978, he missed only one meeting in 48 years. He began serving on the AOS Board of Directors in 1983 and held the roles of President, Secretary-Treasurer, and AOS Representative to the AAOS Board of Councilors. He also served as Executive Director for 15 years, running the association with remarkable dedication—recruiting new members, planning annual meetings and social events, and securing sponsorships. In 2022, Jim became the first recipient of the Alabama Orthopedic Society Exceptional Service Award for his decades of service, guidance, leadership, and wisdom. What made Jim such a special physician was not simply his knowledge or skill. He genuinely cared about people. He treated his patients with compassion, dignity, and respect, and he never lost sight of the person behind the injury or illness.

During his sons’ childhood years, Jim was an active member of Avondale United Methodist Church, where he served as an adolescent Sunday School teacher, and he was even asked to coach a boys’ basketball team there, among other roles. Basketball practice was held in the church gym, and the season began. Some of the players whose parents attended other churches began attending church at Avondale where they sat on the pew with Coach Davis. One of the boys at practice one day was overheard asking Coach Davis if the players started attending Avondale church on Sundays - would they get more playing time during the games? Coach Davis was heard replying with a smile, “Well, it certainly wouldn’t hurt.”

Jim loved coaching his sons and their friends in baseball and basketball. During the boys’ childhoods, the family hobby became baseball seasons at Southside Baseball and basketball seasons at the Shades Valley YMCA, until the boys began playing school ball.

Jim was a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and true friend to all. His grandchildren chose “Doc” as his grandparent name, and he loved spending time with his three grandchildren more than anything.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, J.C. and Katherine Davis of Chickasaw, and his son, Dr. John Christopher Davis of New Orleans. He is survived by his wife of fifty years; Jeannie Reed Davis; his son, James Reed Davis; three brothers, Billy Davis (Brenda), Ron Davis (Kay), and Bobby Davis (Missy); his brother-in-law, Bill Reed (Elizabeth); his sister-in-law, Jennifer Reed Gletty (Jim); his daughter-in-law, Julia Davis; and his three grandchildren, Reynolds, James Rossi, and Sam; his nieces, Traci Stacey, Sonya Reed, Katie Cortez (Jacob), Hayley Wiggins (Cory), Carley Davis; his nephews, Bubba Reed (Dee Ann), Clay Davis, Drew Davis (Evan), Riley Davis; great nieces, Jesse Hyatt ( Logan ), Sarah-Reed Stacey, Andi Medley (Gavin), Chrissy Shaw, and Lexie George; great nephews, Trae Stacey, Ahmad Al Salem, Westley Davis, Carson Davis, and Grant Davis; great-great niece, Ann Myles Hyatt; great-great nephew, Steadham Hyatt.

A graveside service will be held in Bay Minette, Alabama at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at the Bay Minette Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, at a later date. The time and location will be announced.

Jim was the patriarch and the heart of his family, and we are so grateful to have had him in our lives. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.