Rev. Dr. Henry P. Davis Jr. of Jackson passed away Sept. 7. He was the second child born to Henry P. and Irene Davis in Austin, Texas Aug. 10, 1929. He grew up in Taylor, Texas. He graduated from Blackshear High School in Taylor at the age of 15 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree from Huston-Tillotson College in Austin four years later. While at Huston-Tillotson he played on the football team.
Following graduation, Dr. Davis joined the U.S. Air Force and served in the Korean War in 1951. During his tour in Korea he traveled to Japan to compete in the 1952 Olympic trials. While in the military, he worked as a radio operator and was assigned to Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, D.C.
After an honorable discharge from the Air Force he spent a short stint in Detroit, Michigan working for Ford Motors. He then returned to Texas and enrolled at Prairie View A&M College in Prairie View, Texas. In 1955 he graduated with a Master of Education degree.
Dr. Davis met his wife, Ardelia Culberson Davis, at Prairie View. They married in January 1956. Prior to moving to Neptune, they lived in Wichita Falls, Texas. In 1962, Dr. Davis began working at Fort Monmouth in Eatontown. For many years at Fort Monmouth he worked as an Equal Employment Opportunity officer, before retiring in 1986 from civil service.
In 1967, he accepted the call to ministry at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Asbury Park. He initially pastored True Vine Baptist Church from 1970-1973 in Asbury Park. He then was called to pastor St. Paul Baptist Church in Atlantic Highlands. He pastored there for 40 years and retired in 2013.
While pastoring, he served as the president of the Greater Red Bank NAACP Chapter. He was also the moderator of the Seacoast Missionary Baptist Association for three separate four-year terms.
In 1988, he obtained his seminary degree from New Brunswick Theological Seminary. In 1991, he received his doctorate degree from Drew University.
Henry P. Davis Jr. was faithful to God, his family and others. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry P. and Irene Davis, sister Ruby H. Davis and his first wife, Ardelia C. Davis.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Dolores Ryan Davis. He is also survived by sons David Williams and wife Alice, Dr. Henry P. Davis III and wife Weptanomah, Kevin O. Davis and wife Kerry, and Kent M. Davis and daughter Susan D. (Kevin) Wigenton. From his union with Dolores, he is survived by his stepchildren, Derrick Ryan, Rickey (Judy) Ryan, Kenneth Ryan, Cheryl (Bryan) Ryan Waller, Russell Ryan and Debra (Darryl) Ryan Colbert. He is also survived by his brother James L. Davis Sr. and a host of nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
The article originally appeared in the September 10 – 16, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
