James Neal Davis

James Neal Davis, 89, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday. June 28, following a short illness. Judy, his loving wife of 69 years, was at his side. Neal was born to Grace and Clyde Davis on April 12, 1925, and was raised on the family farm on Hampton Road north of DeSoto. He was a life-long dairy farmer, having learned the business from his Grandfather, Jess Spillers. He graduated from Duncanville High School and enlisted in the U. S. Army serving during WWII. He served on the Board of Directors of the Dallas Division of the Association of Milk Producers, Inc. (AMPI) from 1976 to 1985. A member of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Texas for over fifty years, Neal was a Past-Master of both the Oak Cliff Lodge No. 705 in Dallas and the Chambers Creek Lodge #499 in Ennis. He was also active in the Dallas and Ellis County Farm Bureau and on the board of the Texas Agriculture Cooperative Council. He was a member of Wheatland United Methodist Church in Dallas and loved singing in the choir. Neal was preceded in death by his parents, Grace Neal and William Clyde Davis, and his two brothers, Henry Davis of Dallas and Wayne Davis of Midlothian. He is survived by his wife, Judy and three children: Larry Neal Davis and wife, Kennette, of Rankin; Ronnie Davis and wife, Shawn, of Ennis; and Linda Timmerman and husband, David, of Richland-Chambers Lake. He was blessed with and proud of his six grandchildren, Whitney Davis of Stephenville; Larke Tapper and husband, Seth, of Big Spring; Brad Timmerman, and wife Terra, of Bryan; David A. Timmerman and wife, Chris, of Kansas City; Vanessa Carr and husband, Dale, of Midland; and Shawn Darnell of Chicago. And he was equally proud of his six “greats,” as he called the great-grandchildren: Will Timmerman of Bryan, Alyssa and Ben Carr of Midland, and Kyle and Jordan Timmerman of Kansas City, and Aidan Sodt of Chicago. Neal was further blessed to have served as honorary grandfather to Diana Wooley Koehler of Duncanville. He never met a stranger and leaves behind a host of wonderful and caring friends and neighbors. The family expresses sincere appreciation to the staff at Approved Home Health Care and especially, Suzanne, Tonya, Connie, and Cristie for the excellent care they provided our husband and Dad during the past several months. We are also grateful to the staff at Gentiva Odyssey Hospice for caring for him in his final days. The family further sends love and deepest appreciation to Waxahachie neighbors, Wanice, and Dwight Brown, for their ministry to both our Mom and Dad. Most of all, our deepest thanks to long-time family friend, Kim Matthews, who extended much love and devotion to Dad and Mom. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 1, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon at West-Hurtt Funeral Home, 217 S. Hampton, Desoto, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. at Wheatland United Methodist Church, 8000 S. Hampton Road, Dallas. Interment will follow in Wheatland Cemetery. Pallbearers are Larry Davis, Ronnie Davis, Brad Timmerman, Seth Tapper, Paul Thompkins, and Dwight Brown. Soloist at the memorial service will be David Timmerman. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Texas Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, P. O. Box 199300, Dallas, TX 75219-9300 or a charity of your choice.