John Davis Jr.

We are sad to announce the passing of John Lee Davis, Jr., aged 89. A son of Georgia, he traveled far and wide, but his heart and home always remained in Georgia.

Born and raised in Atlanta, John entered the Air Force in Lubbock, Texas, where he learned to fly airplanes. Upon returning to Atlanta, he began his 35-year career as a commercial pilot with Southern Airways, eventually retiring from Northwest Airlines.

John had a lifelong passion for antique cars, NASCAR races, travel, and Georgia Tech. Even with all these interests, he found time to hand build his own home on Lake Lanier.

Flying was John’s biggest passion, and after retirement he became a fixture at Gainesville’s Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport, where he served as a flight instructor and created deep friendships that supported him through the last years of his life.

John is survived by his sons, Lee Davis (and Elaine) and Tim Davis (and David Wayman), their mother Donna (Robinson) Davis, and his grandson Nathan Davis, as well as his former wife and friend, Dorothy (Allen) Davis.

John is predeceased by his parents, John L. Davis Sr. and Marjorie (Hood) Davis, and his wife, Carol (Baumstark) Davis.

We invite you to join us for a celebration of his life on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at McDonald & Son Funeral Home, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, Georgia, 30040. Visitation will take place from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, with a service to follow at 2:00 pm. Internment will take place at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton at 11:00 am on Friday, May 8th.