James Barron Davis passed away peacefully February 4, 2016 at Midland Memorial Hospital surrounded by his children and friends.He was born September 3, 1927, in Houston, Texas to Winnie Barron Davis and Bem Price Davis. He graduated from Lamar High School in Houston, joining the United States Navy. He served in the Pacific during World War II. He attended Texas A & M, graduating from the University of Houston with a degree in Geology.He married Dana Lee Surles on November 1, 1947 and began his career in the oil business as a landman for Tidewater Oil Company, which later became Getty Oil Company. He was a landman for Bobby French and after that became an independent investor in oil and gas properties.Jim was a member of the American Association of Petroleum Landmen and in 1968 served as President of the Permian Basin Landmen’s Association. He was treasurer of the Texas Division of the American Cancer Society Round-Up ’89. He was a member of the Midland Country Club Tennis Association and in 1976 and 1977 partnered with Bill Harris and won the Men’s Doubles Championship. He loved bird hunting, fishing and golf. He and his golfing friends refer to themselves as the “gangsome”.He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Dana Lee Surles, an infant sister, a sister, Elinor Forney, a nephew, Dr. Pete Forney and a great niece, Shelly Surles.He is survived by a son, Kirby Barron Davis of Midland and a daughter, Janet Lee Harris of Midland. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Keith Russell House and wife, Jennifer, of Austin, Quillan Grant Harris and wife, Beth, of Midland, Drew Prescott Harris and wife, Michelle, also of Midland and Amanda Lee Henderson and husband, Erwin, of Santa Cruz, CA, 7 great grandchildren, Caroline Lorraine and Sean Winfred of Austin, Georgia Elizabeth and Webber Davis of Midland, and Lyric Antoin, Jayden Alexander, and Emylia Lee of Santa Cruz, CA and several nieces and nephews. He was looking forward to the birth of his eighth great grandchild, Addison Wynne Harris. He also leaves many friends to cherish his memory.Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, February 10, 2016 from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm at Nalley-Pickle and Welch Funeral Home in Midland. Memorial services are Thursday, February 11, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church at 2:00 pm.The family would like to thank the paramedics, the emergency and CCU staff at Midland Memorial Hospital for their compassionate and tender care of our “papa”.In lieu of flowers, dad would have appreciated donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, the Salvation Army of Midland or Shriners Hospitals for Children.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com. ,
