by David Ball
Staff Writer
Longtime Jacksonville lawmaker and current Gate Petroleum Vice President Don Davis died Thursday morning after a battle with brain cancer. He was 76.
Friends and colleagues remembered Davis as an effective and respected member of the Jacksonville City Council (1987-1999, president from 1992-93) and Florida House of Representatives (since 2000). Davis also was known for his term as chairman of the Tournament Players Championship and involvement with various other community and civic groups.
Visitation is scheduled for 6–8 p.m. today at Deermeadows Baptist Church, 9780 Baymeadows Road. The funeral is at 11 a.m. Saturday at Deermeadows Baptist, with a graveside service following at Oak Lawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd. A celebration of life is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Deerwood Country Club, 10239 Golf Club Drive.
Here’s what some close friends and colleagues had to say about Davis.
John Delaney, former mayor during Davis’ time on the Jacksonville City Council and Florida Legislature and current president of University of North Florida.
“We have a construction boom going on at UNF, and all of that money comes from the Legislature. The local delegation has been terrific, and Don was always in there pitching to get us money. He carried UNF and Jacksonville and Duval County well in legislation because he was so very highly respected.
“He was a great legislator, who always voted the right way. He could vote against people and not make them mad, and that’s a talent. You always knew he was trying to do what he thought was the right thing, even if you didn’t agree with him. Although, I don’t think I ever disagreed with him.
“As a councilman, I don’t ever remember asking Don for help and him saying no. He would say, ‘Mayor, I think we can do A, but I don’t think we can do B.’ And you can take him on his word. He was always willing to do a hard vote, and he was a great vote counter, which is a key to success. He knew the levers and the buttons and the dials that had to be pulled and punched and turned to get budgets passed and bills passed.
“Don was a fun-loving guy with a great sense of humor, and he was a tremendous athlete and competitor. I just had a guy in my office who grew up in Jacksonville near Don. He was the city’s (basketball) free-throw shooting champion, and when he was a kid Don would come over to his house and challenge him to a shooting contest, betting on how many he could make.”
Brian Goin, former executive director of the Players Championship and current vice president of the PGA Tour.
“Don was, I don’t know if there’s even a word. Don was an unbelievable individual. I was fortunate to work with him and see his leadership take form — he was captain of the Red Coats (former Player’s Championship chairmen) when I started as director. My goal was to get, with Don’t help, to get the Red Coats back involved with the tournament.
“Don is a natural leader, and people tended to follow Don and they wanted to do it. When he asked you to do something, even if you really couldn’t get it done you somehow did because it was for him.
“He was also very genuine, probably the most genuine person you ever wanted to meet. He could talk to you at your level. It didn’t matter if he was talking to a CEO of a company or someone who cut his grass. It never felt like he was trying to feed you something. The hardest thing I think you do as a leader is try and sell something you don’t believe in. Don chased what he believed.
“And who didn’t he know in Jacksonville? When I started about 11 years ago, he took me under his wing and led me around the community, and I was accepted. When Don Davis has you under his wing, you were accepted in the community of Jacksonville.
He was a good golfer, too. He loved to compete. At the age of 70 he’s out there playing golf, and I hope I’ll be able to play as good as he did at that age. He did whatever he had to do to win. If he needed to make a putt, he made it. If he needed a good drive, he hit it. He was a very special man, and it’s a terrible loss for this community.”
Herb Peyton, founder and president of Gate Petroleum
“This morning we lost a long time Gate brother and friend to us all. At 7:30 (Thursday) morning, Don Davis passed away at his home after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. He was involved in everything Gate has done for the last 25 years. Don represented Gate in many different ways and always with class and honor. Don was a loyal Gate brother who will be dearly missed by everyone at Gate.”
John Peyton, mayor and executive at Gate Petroleum
“The City of Jacksonville and the State of Florida have lost a dedicated public servant and I have lost a dear friend. I know Don would want to be remembered by his lifelong service to his community through such organizations as the American Cancer Society, the Florida Theatre, The First Tee of Jacksonville, Prisoners of Christ and too many other organizations to list. His dedication to his family, his colleagues at Gate and his community are truly unparalleled and he will be greatly missed.
“I will leave it to others to talk about his accomplishments in business, as a member of the Jacksonville City Council and the legislature. For me, I have lost a dear friend and mentor and my prayers go out to Alice and all of Don’s family during this difficult time.”