James Ricky Davis

James Ricky Davis, born October 7, 1948, in Monticello, Fla., went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 29, 2020, at the age of 71.

Ricky served over 30 years in law enforcement. He retired in 2009, in Orange County, Fla., after 22 years as a special agent with the Florida Department of Alcohol Beverage & Tobacco.

Ricky grew up in Monticello and attended Olive Baptist Church for many years. He graduated from Jefferson County High School in 1967. He was a running back on the Jefferson County Tigers 1966 State Championship Team. He earned a football scholarship at Gordan Military College in Barnesville, Ga. and continued to play there until he graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree in 1969.

Ricky came back home and served his community as a police officer and deputy sheriff. He continued his love for football, coaching and mentoring young men at Aucilla Christian Academy and Jefferson High School. He was known for his artistic ability, painting murals everywhere there was a blank wall, painting anything that stood still and his famous puffy paint shirts in the 1990s. He loved boating, the sand and the sun.

Ricky was a third generation Jeffersonian. He is preceded in death by his parents, life-long Monticello residents, Luther and Nell Hunter Davis; his paternal grandparents: James Leonard and Mamie Lou Davis; and his maternal grandparents: Solomon Robert and Carri Hunter, all of Monticello.

Ricky is survived by his twin daughters: Dedra Davis Sapp (Danny) and Dawn Davis Rettig (Jason) of Orange City, Fla.; and grandson Dane Manning Stratton of Jacksonville, Fla.; his sister and only sibling, Kathy Davis Joyner (John “Bubba”) of Monticello; his nephew, John Preston Joyner of Monticello; nieces: Roslyn Joyner Bass (Kent) of Monticello, and Ginni Joyner Brown (Josh) of Ochlocknee Bay, Fla.; four great-nephews and one great niece; and his cousin and loving care-giver, Peggy Hunter Kahler. Ricky was also blessed with about 30 other first cousins on his mother’s side of the family, whom he loved dearly. There will be a private family service at a later date.