Jim A. Davis

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James, “Jim” Allen Davis, age 82, of Plymouth, MN., passed away on July 18, 2024, due to complications from an accidental fall in early November 2023.

 He is preceded in death by his first wife, Jan (Watson) Davis; parents, Bernard and Stella Davis; and infant brother, Roger Davis.

Jim is survived by his wife, Joanne Anderson; children, Scott (Abby) Davis of Maple Grove, MN, Kristin (Kyle) Abraham of St. Paul, MN; stepchildren, Tim (Cindy) Anderson of Plymouth, MN, Kari (Charlie) Shideman of Edina, MN, Corey (Janelle) Anderson of Clermont, FL; grandchildren: Alexa, Jules, and Jason Davis and Lilah and Fiona Abraham; step-grandchildren: Arin & Abby Anderson, Charlie, Ellie and Maggie Shideman, and Rachel, Audrey, Cooper and Everly Anderson; and many other relatives and friends. 

Jim was born July 11, 1942, in North Platte, Nebraska. Jim attended Northeast High School in Lincoln Nebraska, where he played basketball and graduated in 1960. He then attended the University of Nebraska where he was in ROTC and received his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. There he met his wife to be, Jan at a U of NE. football game. (Always a “Big Red” fan!) Within one week in June of 1964, they graduated from college, he was commissioned in the Navy and they got married. They then moved to Athens, Georgia, and Rhode Island, where he served in the U.S. Navy.

Following his military service, Jim and Jan moved to Boston, where Jim earned his MBA at Harvard University. He then accepted a job at General Mills in Golden Valley, Minnesota, where he and Jan settled and raised their children, Scott and Kristin. Jim worked in Marketing Research at General Mills for 31 years. He worked to help develop future products in the cereals and snacks divisions.

In his late 30’s, Jim discovered a love of running and completed over 30 full marathons (26.2 miles). This included a streak of the first 24 Twin Cities marathons, along with the City of Lakes, Grandma’s, Omaha, Boston, and New York City marathons. Jim also sought out many other activities and adventures in his lifetime including: golfing, waterskiing, scuba diving, parasailing, sailing, downhill and nordic skiing, and table tennis.

Jim loved to travel, both within the US and abroad. His travels enabled him to utilize his passion for photography. 

 Jim also loved music and dancing with family and friends. At weddings and parties, he was always energetic and carefree on the dance floor. 

Jim also enjoyed spending time at the family cabin in Annandale, MN, that he and Jan purchased in 1977. He enjoyed boating, sailing, fishing, waterskiing and time with family and friends there. The cabin remains within the family to this day. 

Although Jim had many notable accomplishments throughout his life, he said that he is proudest of being a caregiver to Jan, for 7+ years, after she developed young-onset Alzheimer’s. Jim and Jan were married for 44 years, before she passed in May of 2008. 

Jim found love again and married Joanne Anderson in August of 2010. Together they enjoyed almost 14 years of marriage. They shared a love of winters in Arizona, traveling, and watching all sporting events together, especially college sports. In the last 8.5 months, Joanne was steadfastly by Jim’s side during his health journey, while he was fighting to recover from his injury, subsequent infections and health setbacks.

Jim was a very intelligent, soft-spoken, quick-witted, generous, and kind man. He loved his family completely. He was a wonderful husband, dad and grandpa (“Gramps”). He was always there for his family. He enjoyed attending his kids’ and grandkids’ sporting, music and other events. 

His energy, humor and love will be greatly missed by his family and friends! 

Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 29, preceded by an hour of visitation at Brunswick United Methodist Church, 6122 42nd Ave. N, Crystal, MN. Visitation will also be Sunday, July 28 from 6-8 p.m. at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel, 15800 37th Ave. N, Plymouth, MN. Interment at Lakewood Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be given to Alzheimers Association of Minnesota-North Dakota (a cause that was important to Jim) or to the donor’s choice.