The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1947-03-14
IN MEMoRIAM
JOHN A. DAVIS

There was no victory for Death
When John passed away There was
no siingi The grave was not the win
ner-For John A. Davis has won
again He crossed the goal line with
his head up and his hands out in
ron JUS as | had seen him before
on the athletic field. in the dressing
room. In the class room. | knew him
well; / knew his thinking. observed
him closely, listened TO his words.
John was a sterling example of a
Christian youth. He was true TO his
God and his Christ. He was true TO
his family; 50 close 10 his father.
mother. brothers and sisters. His
loyalty TO his teammates and class
mates could never be challenged.
For four years | worked with him.
| remember we'll the touch of his
hand when our team was not faring
so well. | can still hear him say.
Coach, let me 60 in. they are tired.
| can give them a pusf-. know 1
can When we were ahead he would
c0ndescendingly wait his turn to be
substituted-His team came first
How often have | seen him spend
extra time trying to perfect his kick
ing, his speed, his passing. John want
ed to be top-notch. He wanted To be
a first-stringer. Every day that passed.
he worked to build his body. he wanted
Il TO be strong. He wanted to be
able to take Il. He wanted to emu
late feats of his brother, Monte. who
was one of the finest athletes that
l eve coached. John was willing to
pay the price that perfect performance
required.
| never heard John use p~rofane Ian
RuaFe-no matter what misfortune
overlook him. or what opportunity
would he lost, he never complained.
II the dressing rooms and on the
aa# 49, ELaH LEa
clean. He never broke training while
in season or out of season.
John was complimentary of his
teammates and classmates. He always
thanked them for whatever help they
gave him. John loved boys-He
wanted TO be close to them. He listened
to their Pripes. their Jokes. then trou-
bles. / often found him eonsoHng
those who were not doing SO well.
He Offered genuine help to those who
we're Cisag. CT Tea and detected. h
boz liked Joh They knew he was
clean, both sFluaieally and spiritually.
| admired G. neeially. his attitude to-
helping Z. EN- Il make themselves bet
ter he taught them ways and means
of making their bodies stronger. I saw
him patiently teach boys to use the
bow ard arrow. an art at which he
was adept.
J9iin always tQiu the truth Ihefe
are moments when a boy gets in
trouble John never gave an aIibi. His
reasoning was always clear. lie was
Just in his criticisms. He was hum
hlc i'm recognition of his shortcom-
ings a1d accomplishments.
| shalt never FORGET ohm Davis. |
shall never forget the tributes paid
kim by MS mauv friends throughout
his three wears OF suffering | shall
never tn1Pet the large attendance and
the many floral offerings tha came
as a final Nihbte 10 a great boy.
History wont record his name. but
we who knew him and loved him Will
wear his spirit in our hearts. We viii
tell Others about John We will tell
the youth Of our nation that there is
a Christian way IL live IN the class
room, on the athletic field. in the
dressing rooms. m the home and in
public life, because JOIN A. Davis, a
regular boy who loved. who fought.
vino PLAYED and who lived that kind
of life. Thank God for John A Davisl
EDWARD KHAYAT.