Julius McArthur Davis

1st Sgt. Julius "J.D." McArthur Davis Army Ret., age 80, a resident of Semmes, AL, passed away the morning of Thursday, December 29, 2022 in Biloxi, MS. Born May 16, 1942, in Georgiana, AL. He was the son of the late Kermit David Davis and late Maymie Jewel Rodgers. Julius enlisted in the United States Army on July 1,1959 at the age of 17 and served his country honorably. J.D. was assigned several posts including 2 tours in Korea and 2 tours in Vietnam, the latter of which, he served with the Big Red One, 1st calvary, 4th infantry. J.D. served 20 years in the Army, retiring as a 1st Sgt. after being awarded 3 Bronze Stars for meritorious service, a Purple Heart, and 3 Army Commendation metals, 1 with “V” device for heroism. This was awarded for running through the bullets and mortars to pull 3 men to safety while the bunker the men were in was under attack from enemy fire. He also was awarded the airmetal for extraction and insertion in hostile fire and safe landing in his tours in Vietnam. J.D. was awarded a letter of commendation on November 16, 1976, while serving as a Boy Scout Troop Leader, where he saved the life of one of the boys in his troop, and thus, was proclaimed in the letter as the epitome of leadership. After retiring from military service on September 1, 1979, he worked at Bender’s Shipyard as an outside machinist from which he also retired. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary M. (Hunt) Davis; 3 children, Kermit (Abra) Davis, of Semmes, AL, Pamela (Taylor) Shaw of Biloxi, MS, and Steven (Charley) Davis of Semmes, AL; 7 grandchildren, Jacquelyn (Austin) McIlwain, Christopher (Mary) Stokley, Michael Davis, Taylor Shaw, Jr., Garrett Stokley, Scott Davis, and Olivia Shaw; 3 great-grandchildren, Bransyn, Kaylee, and Gunnar; 2 sisters, Carolyn and Debra; 3 brothers, David, Billy, and Leonard; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, David Kermit Davis; mother, Maymie Jewel Rodgers; 3 children; Tina Marie Davis, Janet Marie Davis, and Julius Michael Davis; 6 sisters, Delores, Ella, Irene, Esther Ruth, Joann, and Elaine; and 1 brother, Robert. In all the accomplishments in J.D.’s life, his family was his greatest. The world is less for the loss of such a great man. Visitation will be held at Serenity Funeral Home on Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 5-7 PM with funeral service to be held on Friday, January 6, 2023 at 10 AM. Interment will be held in Serenity Memorial Gardens.

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Julius McArthur Davis

May 16, 1942 - December 29, 2022