James "Irvin" Davis, 96, went to his heavenly home Thursday September 1st, 2022. Viewing will be on Monday, September 5, 2022 and Tuesday, September 6, 2022 from 9:00a.m. until 9:00p.m. at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home in Spearman.  Family visitation will be on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at 1101 Linn Dr. in Spearman, Texas, from 6:00p.m. until 8:00p.m.. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church in Spearman at 2:00p.m. with Rev. Danny Hendricks officiating.  Burial will be in Hansford Cemetery in Spearman, Texas.  Arrangements are under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman.

Irvin was born at the home of JW and Mattie Davis in Spearman, Texas, on January 16th, 1926. The oldest of four children, he attended Spearman schools all the way through graduation, playing football and basketball until it was canceled after his junior year due to WW2.  He learned the value of hard work at a young age, working at his father's service station at the crazy corner of Spearman.  He worked there before and after school often until they closed at midnight.  When he was 14, he drove a fuel truck to the refinery at Sunray to get a load of gasoline for the station and had to back it up Hansford Hill to keep the engine from dying.  Irvin graduated from Spearman High School in 1943.  He joined the Army Air Corps and was accepted into the pilot program after graduation.  However, he was too young and needed his parent's permission to enlist before he was 18.  His protective parents denied this, so he went to Texas Tech for the fall semester and enlisted after his 18th birthday.  By then the army needed gunners, not pilots, so he became a tail gunner on a B17 Bomber.  He was in the 15th Air Force, 99th Bomb group, stationed in Foggia, Italy.  He and his crew flew 13 missions from January, 1945 until VE Day.  He became lifelong friends with many of the men from his crew.  Irvin loved America and was very patriotic.

After his return from the war in 1946, a pretty girl working at the soda fountain at Hale's Drugstore caught his eye.  That May he worked up enough courage to ask Betty Jean Clement out on a date and they were married 6 months later on November 24th, 1946.  Thus began their wonderful marriage of over 75 years.  They were rarely separated for more than a night or two for the rest of their lives.  Irvin did "whatever he could to make a living" in the beginning.  He worked at the service station, pool hall, drove a tractor, drove a truck, anything to pay the bills.  Soon he started helping his Father-in-law, Everett Clement, farm and discovered his calling and love of farming and running cattle, which he did the rest of his life, driving a tractor into his late 80's.  He often said, "those were the good old days, and we didn't even know it."

Irvin and Betty were blessed with their first child, a daughter, Phyllis Jean, on December 10th, 1947; then a son, James Michael "Mike", on June 18th, 1951; and finally, a son, Jerry Pat, on January 10th, 1955.  Irvin was a stern, but loving father, who worked hard to provide for his family.  Some of his favorite hobbies during this time were riding dirt bikes, racing horses, and flying.  There are many funny stories about the adventures involving all three of these hobbies.

One of Irvin's greatest joys was being a "Granddad" and he was an excellent one.  His own children were always amazed how the sternness they had experienced softened with his grandkids.  He loved to pop his grandkids toes and pull their loose teeth for them.  He found great joy following whatever activities his grandkids and great-grand kids were in, especially athletics.   Irvin was an avid Spearman Lynx and Lynxettes supporter, and for that matter, the entire town of Spearman. He was the best Granddad anyone could ask for.

Later in life he took up golf and loved the game and even accomplished the unusual feat of making a hole in one and a double eagle at the same time on hole #2 at Hansford Golf Course.  He was part of a regular group of men that played every day that work, and the weather allowed and developed deep friendships with many of them.   He was a member of the Hansford Golf club and continued his membership and support for years even after his health prevented him from playing.  Another lifelong hobby was dominoes, and he was one of the best.  As late as last spring, while playing his great grandkids, he amazed them by telling them what they had in their hand. He and Betty also enjoyed going to reunions of the 99th bomb group and spending time with his war buddies and their wives.  He was a past board member of the Hansford County Hospital District, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a member of the Spearman Athletic Booster Club.  He was always eager to support when there was a need in the community.

Faith was very important to Irvin. He and Betty were active members of the First Christian Church in Spearman where he was known for his great hugs every Sunday. He regularly attended the Cowboy Church of Spearman.  He read through the Bible several times by trying to read 2 chapters a day for years.  He was quick to tell you Jesus was his Lord and Savior. Until the very end, he was trying to provide and care for his "Sweet Betty Jean", always asking his family and the nurses of her whereabouts and if she was okay. He told the family many times to make sure she was WELL taken care of.  He was a great example of a Godly husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather, and he will be missed very much.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mike Davis; sister Gwendolyn Smith; and brothers, Dub Davis and Bill Davis.

Irvin is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Davis of Spearman; daughter, Phyllis and husband David Collins of Spearman; and son, Jerry Pat Davis of Amarillo, TX.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brent Collins, Lisa Flowers and husband, Scott Swan, Grace and husband, Ashley Pshigoda, Charles Davis, Mattie and husband, Cody Mac Been, Ryan and wife, Kate Davis  and Nick and wife,  Katie Davis, Ryan Hodges, Spencer Hodges and Lexi Hodges.

Family suggests memorials in memory of Irvin be to First Christian Church in Spearman, Volley for Vets P.O. Box 20202, Amarillo, TX  79114 and Hansford Hospice, 707 S. Roland, Spearman, Tx. 79081