Jack Davis (Illinois politician)

Jack Davis
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 4th district
In office
January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1989
Preceded by George M. O'Brien
Succeeded by George E. Sangmeister
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
In office
1977-1987
Personal details
Born Jack Bender
(1935-09-06)September 6, 1935
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died February 4, 2018 (aged 82)
Springfield, Illinois, U.S.
Cause of death Dementia
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Virginia "Ginny" Davis
Alma mater Southern Illinois University
Profession businessman
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 1956–1959
Rank Lieutenant

Jack Davis (September 6, 1935 – February 4, 2018) was a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1976 to 1986, and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1987 to 1989 representing Illinois' 4th U.S. Congressional District.

Biography

Davis was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 6, 1935 to Edna (née Haflei) and Russell Bender. His biological father died when he was a child and his mother got remarried to Melcher "M.C." Davis, who adopted Jack.[1] He entered Southern Illinois University at age 15 and received a bachelor of arts degree in 1956. He attended Naval Officer Candidate School and served in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant from 1956 to 1959, flying EC-121 between Midway Island and Alaska. He married Virginia "Ginny" Griffin of Shelbyville, Illinois with whom he had three children.[1]

From 1959 to 1978, Davis owned and operated a steel warehouse business. A Republican, he served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1977 to 1987.[2] In 1986, Davis was elected to the U.S. House, and he served one term, 1987 to 1989. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1988, losing to the Democratic candidate, George E. Sangmeister.

Davis served as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower, Readiness and Resources from 1990 to 1992; he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for activities in northern Iraq during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In the early to mid 2000s, Davis hosted a radio show, Davis and Company, on 970 WMAY in Springfield, Illinois. Davis died on February 4, 2018 at his home in Springfield, Illinois.[3][1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Jack D. Davis-obituary
  2. ↑ 'Illinois Blue Book 1983-1984,' Biographical Sketch of Jack Davis, pg. 101
  3. ↑ 'Former Congressman, state Rep. Jack Davis dead at 82,' The State Journal-Register, Bernard Schoenburg, February 5, 2018
  • United States Congress. "Jack Davis (id: D000106)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  • Appearances on C-SPAN
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
George M. O'Brien		 U.S. Representative of Illinois' 4th Congressional District
1987-1989		 Succeeded by
George E. Sangmeister
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.