By M.H. Cavanaugh
Christian Action League
March 10, 2015
ERWIN – Former Rep. Don Davis (R) of Harnett County, long-time associate, friend and former Board member of the Christian Action League passed away at his home, Saturday, March 7th. Davis was 85.
Davis retired as a US Army Major in 1966. After retirement he founded a successful retail food distribution business.
In 1990 and 1992 he was the Republican nominee for Congress in the second and 3rd Congressional Districts. He would be elected to serve in the North Carolina House in 1995 until he retired from office in 2002.
Rep. David Lewis (R-Harnett) currently holds the seat once held by Davis.
Davis was also a devout Christian, who served in various capacities at Heritage Bible College in Dunn. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for 25 years and 5 years as the Bible College’s finance director. In 1995, Heritage presented Davis with an honorary doctorate degree in humanities.
Davis was a volunteer Chaplain at Betsy Johnson Memorial Hospital in Dunn.
He had a long-time association with the Christian Action League that spanned more than two decades, and he had also served on the League’s Board of Directors.
The Harnett-Dispatch says of him, “Don’s life exemplified the Christ-like image that people work their whole lives to achieve. He never met a stranger and was loved and well-respected by both local and statewide leaders and friends.”
“The passing of a brother in Christ like Don is bittersweet,” said Dr. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League. “We grieve because we’re going to miss his presence with us. But we rejoice too because we know he’s with the Lord. Seeing what he has seen in glory and doing what he is doing now, I guarantee you he wouldn’t want to trade places with us. He’s better off than those of us left behind.”
Dr. Creech added he didn’t believe that he would have become the executive director of the Christian Action League if it hadn’t been for Davis.
Left to Right: Russell Capps, Dr. Creech, Don Davis
“In 1999, I was the Reclaiming America for Christ, “Outstanding Pastor” honoree. The late Dr. D. James Kennedy, who founded that great ministry, presented me with the award during a ceremony held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida,” said Dr. Creech. “Two North Carolina lawmakers were at that awards ceremony. Those two legislators were North Carolina Representatives Russell Capps (R-Wake) and Don Davis (R-Harnett). Both were excited a North Carolinian had won the award and came over to congratulate me. I had never met them before that night.”
Dr. Creech added that when the executive director during that time, Johnny Henderson (1995-1999), decided to resign and return to the pastorate, Capps and Davis both highly recommended that he be considered for the position.
“That was 15 years ago and I still remember that evening at the awards ceremony with much affection. Don was an ardent supporter of the League and he was one of the speakers on the day of my induction as executive director. And during those early years when I was green as a gourd and could hardly find my way around the Legislative Building’s seemingly maze-like design, Don was always encouraging me and providing me with good advice. You don’t forget things like that, when someone is just a good friend,” said Dr. Creech.
Funeral services will be provided by West and Dunn Funeral Home of Erwin. Visitation will be held at the church where Davis was a life-long member, Antioch Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church in Erwin, and will be held from 6 – 8 pm on Friday, March 13th. The memorial service will be held Saturday, March 14th at the same church as the visitation starting at 2 pm. Burial will follow at Erwin Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to the Crusaders Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Youth Camp. Donations should be mailed to:
PFWB Church
Att: Randy Carter
P.O. Box 1568
Dunn, N.C. 28335
