J. Roy Davis, Jr. ’55

J. Roy Davis, Jr. ’55, chairman emeritus of S&D Coffee, Inc., died peacefully at home in Concord, N.C., with his wife by his side on Sept. 15. Born Nov. 12, 1933, in Concord, he was the only child of Elizabeth Peden Davis and James Roy “Buck” Davis. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the 1955 class of Davidson, where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Davis enjoyed almost four years in the Navy, serving as supply officer aboard the USS Fiske and at Point Mugu in California. He returned to Concord to join his family business, S&D Coffee, Inc., in 1959. He married Nan Sue Jones in Charlotte on July 9, 1960. They were blessed with two sons. Under his leadership S&D Coffee became a national coffee and tea supplier. While his company continued to grow, he felt the need to give back to his community. He was involved in the following activities: past deacon and elder of First Presbyterian Church; board of directors, National Coffee Association; board of trustees, Salem College; board of directors, Cabarrus County Education Foundation; Paul Harris Fellow, Concord Rotary Club; past board of directors, Coffee Quality Institute (International); past board of trustees, Davidson College; past board of directors, Barium Springs Home for Children; past board of directors, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte; past chairman, First Charter Corporation (Fifth Third Bank); past member of N.C. Aeronautics Council, appointed by Governor Jim Martin ’57; past board of directors, CK Federal Savings Bank; past member, Society of International Business Fellows; past president, Cabarrus County Chamber of Commerce, Lifetime Achievement Award 2004; past chairman, Concord Board of Education (12 years); past chairman, honorary lifetime member, Salvation Army; Boss of the Year 1976; Senior Man of the Year 1977; served on the Arts Council of Cabarrus County; and the Davis Theatre is named in his honor. In addition to his wife, Sue Davis, 440 Caldwell Dr., Concord, NC 28025, survivors include his two sons, Alan Peden Davis (Robin B. Davis) and E. Rhyne Davis ’86 (Lisa Eldridge Davis ’86), and three grandchildren, Carrie Elizabeth Davis, Brian Peden Davis, and John “Jack” Kenneth Davis.