Jules Leonard Davis, former TTMA Chairman for the Associates, died on November 2. He was 92.
Born on July 31, 1924, in Petrey, Alabama, he was the son of Joe Latas Davis and Ethel Williams Davis. He later recalled growing up in rural Alabama during the Great Depression in a vivid memoir, “Life on a ‘Two Horse’ Farm.” After graduating from Luverne High School in 1943, he taught there and coached the football team, which earned him, at 19, recognition in the AP News as the youngest coach in the U.S.
He attended and graduated from the University of Alabama, where he met Jane Benton Davis of Opp, Alabama. Jules and Jane were married on June 13, 1948, and, after teaching and coaching in Luverne, moved to Opp where they would live and raise their three sons: Joe Benton, Jules Edwin, and George Jeffrey. Jules also coached football in Opp, and during the 1951-53 seasons, the team won 27 straight games.
After teaching, he began a career in trailer sales, working for Dorsey Trailers, Kershaw Axle Co., and the Dana Corporation, from which he retired. He continued to consult in the industry in retirement and played an important role in planning the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association (TTMA) conventions. Favorite pastimes included travel, hunting, bridge, golf, and rooting for the University of Alabama.
In Opp, Jules was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School, and when he moved to Montgomery, he joined and faithfully attended Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Jane Benton Davis; son, Joe Benton Davis and wife Sheila Everidge Davis of Montgomery; son, Jules Edwin Davis and wife Linda Bowman Davis, of New York City; grandchildren, Shannon Davis, Alison Horton (Justin), Kimberly Davis, Benjamin and Jacob Bowden; and great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Jules Horton, and Brittany Bowden.
Memorial contributions may be made to SPIRIT of Frazer (Box 241347, Montgomery, AL 36124-1347) or the charity of your choice.