Harper Davis

Harper Davis passed away on December 26, 2020, at the age of 95. Born December 11, 1925, in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Harper was a war veteran and accomplished athlete and coach. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S Marines Air Corps as a pilot to serve in the Second World War.

Immediately upon his return to Mississippi, he was recruited to play football at Mississippi State University. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance and Mathematics in 1948 and would later continue his education by earning a Master’s in Education Administration in 1962.

Following a successful collegiate career, Davis had a three-year tenure as a professional athlete. Initially a second-round draft pick in 1949, Davis kicked off his pro career with the Los Angeles Dons (All American Football Conference), the Chicago Bears as a first-round pick in the expansion draft, then with the Green Bay Packers as a free agent in 1951.

After his retirement as a professional athlete, Davis got his start in coaching at the high school level. He served as the head coach at West Point and Columbus High Schools and was a member of the coaching staff at his alma mater, MSU. He accepted the head coaching position at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS in 1964. He held this position until 1989, finishing with a record of 138-79-4, making him Millsaps all-time winningest football coach. He also led the Millsaps Majors to an undefeated season in 1980. He concluded his coaching career at Madison-Ridgeland Academy and Jackson Academy. He was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson.

Davis’s accolades are many, with the most notable including being named to the Mississippi State University Hall of Fame - (1974 induction), and to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame - Coaching and Football (1980 induction). And in 2004, Millsaps College commemorated Davis’s legacy by naming the playing field after him. He would later comment that the renaming of the field was the greatest honor of his life.

Harper Davis is preceded in death by his wife, Camille Hogan Davis, his eldest son, Michael Davis, and his youngest son, Patrick Davis. He is survived by his companion, Betty Pryor, brother, Arthur “Art” Davis, his son, Andy Davis, and his wife, Grace; grandchildren: Andrew Davis, II, Paul Davis, Morgan Wigley, her husband Bo Wigley, and Bradley Davis; great-grandchildren: Sarah Spencer Wigley, Harper Wigley, Harrison Wigley, Autumn Davis, and Charles Davis.

Condolences may be sent to 2224 Essex Drive, Decatur, AL 35603. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of his favorite charities, French Camp Academy, One Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 3 from 3-5pm at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland.