Remembered for his devotion to family and his commitment to community
September 23, 1956 – December 14, 2025
Thomas Palmer Davis was born to Dr. James McCorkle Davis and Susan Palmer Davis on Sept. 23, 1956. He died suddenly in a boating accident on Dec. 14.
Thomas attended Fishweir Elementary School. In 1974, he graduated from Jacksonville Episcopal High School before attending Virginia Tech, where he earned a bachelor’s degree from its School of Forestry. He went on to earn a master’s degree in city planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Business Administration (finance) from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
It was in Chapel Hill that Thomas discovered what would become a lifelong passion for Tar Heel basketball, rivaled only by his love for the Boston Red Sox and the Florida Gators.
Upon returning to Jacksonville, Thomas received his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification, launching a long career in investment management across several companies, including Independent Life Insurance Company, American Heritage Life Insurance Company, Barnett Banks and JEA, from which he retired in 2022.
Thomas was an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. He was an active volunteer with several community and nonprofit organizations, including Learn to Read, where he volunteered as a tutor and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry.
Thomas loved music, particularly “real” rock and roll, classical symphony and the Beatles. He cherished the time spent with his family at High Hampton in the North Carolina Mountains.
Thomas was known for his funny, dry wit, humility and sweet, gentle nature. He was a loving husband to Julie, his wife of 37 years, and a devoted father to his daughters, Brooke and Susan. His favorite title, though, was “Tom Tom” to his grandsons, Benedetto and Oliver.
Tommy was predeceased by his parents and his nephew, Thomas Palmer Baker. He is survived by his wife, Julia Brooke Davis (“Julie”), his daughters Julia Brooke Davis Lupo (Ben) and Susan Palmer Davis Kisluk (Sylvester), his grandsons Benedetto Thomas Lupo and Oliver Davis Lupo, and his siblings, James McCorkle Davis, III (Mildred), Anne Davis Baker (John), Katherine Davis Marple and Rebecca Davis McKee (Will), and many beloved nieces and nephews and their children.
