Rev. J. Davis Illingworth

Johnstown, Ohio. One cannot think of him without the mention of his life-long

love Jeanne (DeRolph) Illingworth. He met Jeanne while in the first grade and

they were sweet-hearts the rest of their lives. They were married in July of 1941,

and celebrated 67 years of marriage. They worked as a team in everything in life

and all of their accomplishments were shared. Jeanne died in 2008.

During his high school years, Davis was captain of his high school basketball

team and was active in public speaking. It was during his senior year in high

school that he won the State of Ohio’s “Prince of Peace” speech competition and

with it a scholarship to Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. While at

Wittenberg Davis competed in debate and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi

fraternity. Upon Graduation he entered Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he again excelled in speech and won the school’s

prize for homiletics.

After graduation from seminary, Davis was ordained as a Presbyterian minister

serving pastorates in Petersburg, Ohio; Mercer, Pennsylvania; Wheeling, West

Virginia; Kenmore, New York; and Sun City, Arizona where he was founding

pastor of Faith United Presbyterian Church. During his ministry he also served on

the General Council of the United Presbyterian Church, Executive Presbyter of

the Presbytery of Erie, Pennsylvania, and Synod Executive of the Synod of the

Golden Gate (San Francisco).

In retirement he was active in the founding of Royal Oaks Lifecare Retirement

Community in Sun City, Arizona, where the new “Assistive Living Apartments”

were named in honor of Davis and his wife Jeanne. Bringing Royal Oaks into

reality was for him and Jeanne the fulfillment of a dream and the tangible

evidence of their two lives spent caring for and about the physical and spiritual

welfare of others, especially others who are in the twilight of their lives. While at

Royal Oaks he served as the first chaplain, president of the board of trustees, and

president of the capital improvement fund.

Participating in the community was always an important part of his life. In Sun

City, Davis served on the Sun Health Foundation Board of Trustees, the Founders

Roundtable, and was an active member of the “Annual Giving & Donor Relations

Committee.” The Sun Health Foundation recently awarded him and his wife

Jeanne the “Sun Health Inspiration Award.” Their motto in life was, “Count your

blessings and make your blessings count.” They followed this all of their lives.

The award was for being a “caring couple” and an inspiration at the “highest

possible level.” In 2003, the Greater Arizona Association of Fundraising

Professionals recognized them with a ‘Spirit of Philanthropy’ award.

He also leaves a legacy of a family. Davis always had time to devote to his four

sons and their wives, as well as eleven grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren.

He will be remembered for his many stories and his passion for

collecting antiques, American art glass, trains, Noah’s arks, and all sorts of toys

and memorabilia, always knowing before anyone else what was going to be

valuable in the future. His favorite pastime was sharing his collections with

anyone who was interested in listening. His favorite relaxation was fishing and

boating at their summer home in Winona Lake, Indiana. The many experiences

he and Jeanne planned to keep their family close will be treasured and emulated.

His interest in people created a network of friends that spanned the United States.

His memory will be in our hearts forever and we will find peace knowing that his

love is eternal. He will be missed.

He is survived by his sons Davis Jr. and wife Cynthia of Irvine California and

Winona Lake Indiana; Curtis and wife Mary of San Luis Obispo, California; Paul

and wife Patty of Castro Valley, California; Mark and wife Jan of Winona, Lake

Indiana; eleven grandchildren, Spencer, Trevor, Blair, Greer, Emily, Lynn,

Wendy, Thomas, Cindy, Diana, Robin; and seven great-grand children Jesse,

Leanne, Tyler, Blake, Ross, Braden and Quinn. The circle of life continues as

three more great grandchildren are on the way.

Davis passed away peacefully in Sun City, Arizona on January 12, 2013. He was

preceded in death by Jeanne his loving wife of 67 years.

A “Memorial Service” will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, February 20, 2013

at Faith Presbyterian Church, 16000 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, Arizona. A

reception will be held immediately following in Illingworth Hall. A short family

internment service will be held in the Church’s Memorial Garden immediately

following the reception to inter his ashes next to those of his life long love,

Jeanne.

At 2:30 PM that afternoon there will be a “Celebration of Life” in the auditorium

of Royal Oaks, 10015 W. Royal Oaks Road, Sun City. This service will not be

the same as the Memorial Service. It will include a visual presentation, stories,

and memories of his and Jeanne’s life and involvement with the community and

Royal Oaks.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to one of the following:

Illingworth Memorial Fund

c/o Faith Presbyterian Church

16000 N. Del Webb Blvd.

Sun City, Arizona 85351

Royal Oaks Employee Scholarship Fund

c/o Royal Oaks

10015 W. Royal Oaks Rd

Sun City, Arizona 85351

People of Faith Foundation, Inc.

c/o Royal Oaks

10015 W. Royal Oaks Rd

Sun City, Arizona 85351