James Davenport

James William Davenport, a devoted family man, church layman and businessman, passed away Feb. 6, 2021 in Decatur, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Clanton, Ala., on Sept. 28, 1938, to Robert and Imogene Davenport, his family moved to Birmingham in 1941. He attended Jones Valley School in Powderly, graduating in 1957. He married his high school sweetheart, Imaline, the next year.

After graduation, he began work at Southeastern Tool and Die, which later became Mason Corporation. He transferred to Mason Aluminum Products Inc., based in Dallas, in 1974 to become vice president, where he oversaw the company’s plants in both in Dallas and Baton Rouge, La. and operations and sales in a five-state region.

He worked for Mason for 42 years, only taking a two-year leave from 1961-63 to proudly serve in the U.S. Army at Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Polk, La.

He loved the game of baseball and muscle cars and restored several cars. He had a particular love for classic Ford Mustangs and his dream was to one day own a Ford dealership.

He also had a love for Christ, and served as a lay leader at several churches, including as a deacon and trustee at First Baptist Church of Carrollton; as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Keller; and as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Springtown. He loved to help others, and was especially active as a mission trip volunteer, helping others rebuild both their homes and their lives.

His family knew him as kind, compassionate, trustworthy and as a treasured son, husband and father. He loved his family, his church and his friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Kay Clements and brother-in-law James Eargle. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Imaline Eargle Davenport; daughter Suzanne Dilday (Russell); grandsons John Hawk Dilday (Amy) and James Lee Dilday; a niece and nephew, and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Baptist Church of Springtown.