Family and friends are advised of the passing of Joseph Olin Davis, 68, on July 26 at his High Canaan home on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Jody, as he is commonly known, is survived by sons: Jesse Davis of Miami, Fla., Olin Davis of Burlington, Vt. and Luke Davis, currently serving in the United States Army; brother, Elliott “Mac” Davis of St. Thomas; and sister, Cameron Davis Ellison of Hendersonville, N.C. He is preceded in death by his parents: Bette and Joe Davis of St. Thomas.
Jody was born in Savannah, Georgia, but moved with his parents and siblings to St. Thomas in 1962, where he remained until his untimely death earlier this week. He was both well-known and well-liked by all that knew him.
At the time of his passing, he owned Arcturian Security Company, providing technical and electronic security installation throughout the Virgin Islands, and Broadband VI. Previously, he was a licensed marine radio telephone operator, and a construction supervisor and general manager at his father’s company, Davis Construction Company.
Jody had an extensive history of community service to the people of the Virgin Islands, being a longtime volunteer member of the Virgin Islands Civil Defense Corps, where he held a senior position as sector captain (STT-18) responsible for the well-being of Northside residents and properties during any and all emergencies, from search and rescue, to hurricane recoveries, firefighting and disaster mitigation. He was repeatedly recognized and commended by governors and legislators for his public service contributions.
In 1975, following a number of search and rescue operations, Jody, along with his Civil Defense partner Patrick Deery (STT-19) and Civil Defense Field Operations Officer Anibal “Chickie” Morciglio (Indio), created the framework to establish a fully certified, equipped and trained professional volunteer rescue squad. Using the initial framework of Civil Defense, the Virgin Islands first rescue squad was formed within the ranks of the corps. It was affectionately referred to as “The Dirty Dozen.”
In 1978, realizing that the Civil Defense organization was reorganizing and that funding necessary to expand a rescue service was not available, Jody, along with Patrick, Chickie and others, founded and incorporated the all-volunteer St. Thomas Rescue Inc. Today, nearly 40 years later, it still remains as the only rescue service on St. Thomas.
Throughout the years, he volunteered for many hazardous assignments within the community, on land and at sea. Among the more memorable emergencies, aside from devastating Hurricanes Hugo and Marilyn, he worked the Carib Gas explosion, the Carnival time American Airlines crash, the Angelina Lauro burning and other life-threatening emergencies too numerous to mention.
His interest at being the best he could be allowed him to become a graduate of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s first emergency medical technician – ambulance course in the Virgin Islands; was also a nationally certified heavy rescue instructor, Hearst Tool (jaws-of-life) instructor, advanced first aid and CPR instructor trainer; and held other related qualifications. Rescue Captain Jody Davis was an integral part of the emergency services of the Virgin Islands. Again, and throughout his illustrious volunteer career, he was presented with numerous awards and commendations from governors, senators and other leaders within the Virgin Islands community.
Jody attended both Charlotte Amalie High School and Antilles School, where he was an avid athlete on the football teams, and the College of the Virgin Islands. He also played in a softball league, loved to swim, scuba and spearfish, drove motorcycles, played pool and darts, and was a pistol marksman.
As a student of life, Jody was always looking forward to what’s around the next corner. His favorite quote was, “Today is yesterday’s tomorrow, and therein lies your future.”
Jody will be sorely missed by family, friends and all that knew him. He truly was one of the good guys.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Memorial Service and “Celebration of his Life” to be held at 3 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 18, at Magens Bay Beach.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to St. Thomas Rescue Inc., PO Box 301934, Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands 00803
