Charles Bruce Davis III, 36, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Mooresville on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Born in Raleigh, Chip grew up in East Bend where he attended Forbush High School, graduating in 2006. He played football, performed with show choir, and was an Eagle Scout. He attended UNC Asheville on a Teaching Fellows Scholarship, pursuing a degree in Theatre Education. Chip briefly attended Michigan State University for set design, then taught at Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte. Chip spent many memorable summers working at La Musica Lirica in Italy, where he met the love of his life: his wife, Amanda, following her to Indiana University where his true passion for both teaching and theater, coupled with a love of problem-solving and building things, led him to earn an MFA in Technical Theater.
Another love arrived a little less than seven months ago, when the birth of son Charlie fulfilled Chip’s dream of being a dad.
An integral and beloved member of the Davidson College Theatre Department and arts community, Chip worked on multiple performances yearly, teaching students the craft of technical production for the stage, along with life lessons regarding prioritizing realistic solutions, creating and ensuring safety, and how not to sweat the small stuff. Chip’s dedication to fostering the arts also led him to design and build sets independently for several theaters in the greater Charlotte area, including Charlotte Conservatory Theater, Three Bones Theatre, and Common Thread Theatre Collective; he was scheduled to work with Davidson Community Players this fall. His colleagues and students alike treasured his innovative and collaborative spirit, his honesty and positivity. Chip was never only a teacher; he was a mentor. He was never just a technical director; he made magic happen.
Ceaselessly curious and with more hobbies than anyone could count, Chip was an avid golfer, tinkerer, gamer, 3D-printer, and reader. He loved watching any and all car-racing, as well as how-to YouTube videos. However, more than any gadget or tool collection (of which he had plenty), Chip collected and connected people. He had a way of making everyone feel welcome, comfortable and seen. It was easy to be around him, and easy to love him. Chip lived life with joy and fullness. He laughed with his entire face. He loved with his whole heart. He was a loyal, steadying, dedicated, loving, devoted, and goofy son, brother, husband, and dad.
Chip was preceded in death by his father, Charles Bruce Davis Jr.; and grandparents, Charles Bruce Davis and Nancy Mills Davis, and Arnold Hobson and Lois Trivette Hobson. Chip is survived by his wife, Amanda Sesler Davis; son, Charlie (Charles Bruce Davis IV); his mother and stepfather, Virginia and Sim Artice, of East Bend; siblings, Lauren Abee (Christopher) of Emerald Isle, Jason Artice (Penny) of Kernersville, and Josh Artice (Michele) of North Port, FL; a niece and nephew; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws.
A celebration of life will be held at the Davidson College Cunningham Theatre Center on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please support Chip’s love of theater and go see a show; contribute to North Carolina Theatre Conference (nctc.org/ways-to-support); or help to secure Charlie’s future (gofundme.com/f/help-secure-charlies-future-in-memory-of-chip) James Funeral Home is assisting the family, online condolences may be made at www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.