James L. Davis, DMD

Born in Payette on August 1, 1935, Jim Davis grew up in a close-knit farming community where hard work, leadership, and athletics shaped his character. At Payette High School he excelled as a three-sport athlete in baseball, basketball, and football, earning numerous All-Conference, All-State, and National High School All-American honors. Among his favorite memories from those years was competing alongside teammate and future baseball legend Harmon Killebrew — including the day a professional scout walked into the Payette High School gym looking for Harmon, an early glimpse of the career about to unfold. Davis went on to earn his bachelor's degree and his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Oregon where he played baseball and football. Before being accepted to dental school, he was drafted and served his country in the U.S. Army Dental Corps, stationed in Nürnberg, Germany, where he met his future wife, Erna. The two married in Reno, Nevada, before moving to Portland, Oregon, for his studies at Oregon Health Sciences University. Returning to Reno, Davis built a distinguished dental career caring for generations of families and became a respected leader in organized dentistry, serving as president of both the Northern Nevada Dental Society and the Nevada Dental Association. His work earned numerous professional honors, including Lifetime Achievement awards and fellowships in several national dental organizations. Above all, Davis's greatest pride has been his family. He and Erna built a loving home together, raising three daughters — Diane, Sandra, and Barbara — and enjoying the blessings of grandchildren Nicholas, Erin, Patrick, and Abby. His life has been defined by service, integrity, humility, and a genuine commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.