Palestine High School Alumni Association

Palestine High School Alumni Association, Palestine, Texas

L. L. “Johnny” Davis 1939

09 / 13 / 1921  –  04 / 08 / 2011

L.L.( Johnny ) Davis was born to Lennie Lee and Ruth Cook Davis in Palestine on September 13, 1921 and was taken to our Father in Heaven on April 8, 2011. He graduated from Palestine High School in May 1939 and then enrolled in Austin College on a football scholarship.

He joined the United States Navy in September, 1942, as an aviation cadet. Upon graduation from flight school in February, 1944, he received his Navy wings and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. During his time in the service, he was stationed at several bases and flew different types of airplanes. He was released from active duty in October, 1946, and was recalled to the Korean War as a helicopter pilot. In 1958, he received an honorable discharge from the United States Marines Corps Reserves as a Captain.

While in the service, he married Katherine Elliott on December 28th, 1945, and welcomed his daughter, Suzanne Davis, on November 21, 1947, and his son, Len Davis, on December 9, 1958. He later went on to receive both his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Stephen F. Austin University. He also studied at the University of Houston, UT at Austin, and at Baylor. Mr. Davis began his career in education at Terrell Elementary as a teacher for 2 year before becoming the principal at Franklin Elementary in Port Arthur.

He moved to Palestine in 1961 to become the Palestine High School principal for the next 18 years. He was then promoted to Assistant Superintendant and held that position until his retirement in 1989. After his retirement from Palestine ISD, he served as a member of the Student Teacher Committee for SFA, Sam Houston, and North East Texas colleges evaluating student teachers before their graduations. During his years in Palestine, Mr. Davis was also a member of the following service organizations: Rotary Member since 1954 (President in 1963); Harry A . Haverlaw Foundation and Student Loan Committee since 1964; life member of the PTA; President of Port Arthur TSTA; President of the Anderson County United Fund for 2 years.

L. L Davis was preceded in death last year by his wife of 64 years, Katherine Davis. He is survived by his children (Suzanne Hanks & Len Davis), 3 grandchildren (John Schoel, Katherine Johnson, and Lauren Davis) 4 great-grandchildren (Kenneth Schoel, Megan Schoel, Sheppard Johnson and Darby Johnson).

Services will be held on Tuesday, April 12, at 10:00 am at Bailey & Foster Funeral Home with burial to follow at Roselawn Park Cemetery.

A visitation will be held on Monday, April 11, 2011, from 6-7 pm at Bailey & Foster Funeral Home.