Jack Davis Obituary (1948 – 2022) – Sacramento, CA

Jack Rodney “Rod” Davis, Jr.
November 3, 1948 – August 9, 2022
Sacramento, California – On Tuesday, August 9th, 2022, Rod Davis, loving husband, father, and friend, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 73 near his home in Sacramento, California.
Jack Rodney Davis, Jr. was born on November 3, 1948 in Dallas, Texas to Louise “Sue” and Jack Davis, Sr. He was a member of the first graduating class of Dan D. Rogers Elementary School, and to this day many of his grade school friends still gather for monthly events. He attended Hillcrest High School in Dallas and studied architecture at the University of Texas in Austin before moving to California where his artistic talent grew into a successful career as a television commercial director. He married Susie Fleming on April 9, 1983 and together they raised their two children, Molly and Austin.
Rod was insatiably curious, constantly learning, and well-known for having an impressive level of knowledge on a number of subjects. His exuberant personality was contagious, with his characteristic booming laugh and broad, genuine smile. His humor and intellect were well-matched by his kindness and generosity, whether it was his weekly service with Loaves and Fishes, volunteering to literally mend fences – or anything else in need of repair – for friends and neighbors, or simply offering a listening ear or a word of sage advice. He was a talented creator and builder and could reliably be found working in his “shop” in the garage, almost always in a gray t-shirt and paint-stained jeans, tinkering with his newest project while the paint was still drying on the last . He was an accomplished adventurer with the entries in his pilot logbook and stickers on the saddle bags of his motorcycle to prove it. While mere words will never sufficiently convey all that Rod was, his cousin, Tim Freeman, may have characterized him best, calling him “unique, bold, loud, cool – an artist in soul and deed.” Most importantly, he was a loving husband to Susie and supportive and nurturing father to Molly and Austin, never hesitating to tell them how proud he was of each of them and how much he loved them.
Rod was preceded in death by his father, Jack, Sr., and his mother, Sue. He is survived by his wife, Susie, children, Molly and Austin, his brother Richard, and would want us to include his very sweet dogs, Maggie and Annie. A Celebration of Life will be held in honor of Rod near his home in Sacramento in the near future. Details will be made available once plans are finalized.

Published by The Sacramento Bee on Sep. 10, 2022.

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