Telephone, Texas -- James Perry Davis was born in Dallas, Texas, on December 18, 1937 to parents John and Alma Barton Davis. Perry lived an interesting life characterized by hard work and perseverance. He had a paper route at age 12, and later worked in a grocery store stocking shelves. A month before his 17th birthday, he snuck off to join the Air Force and spent the next four years traveling the world, including being stationed in Germany where he served as a military policeman guarding the base.

Unsure of what to do when he came home to Dallas, he enrolled in beauty school along with his best friend, Robert, and was a hairdresser for the next year. It was during this time that he met and married Kathryn Keen of Telephone, Texas, on October 7, 1960.

Perry then enlisted in the Navy, and after an honorable discharge he began a series of jobs that included truck driver, produce salesman, night watchman, and his longest career: an assembly worker at General Motors in Arlington, Texas, for 28 years. Most of his career at GM involved a daily commute from Telephone, Texas, where he had moved to with his family in 1966.

After his retirement, he built and ran a convenience store and cafe in Telephone, was a cattle rancher, bought and sold land, repaired jewelry, and was a buyer and seller of anything that was profitable. Perry was a self-taught mechanic, carpenter, electrician, brick mason, and jeweler. He was the ultimate do-it-yourselfer.

Perry loved his family. He was proud of his daughters and grandchildren, and delighted in the great-grandchildren. As an adult, he accepted Christ as his Savior, and a member of Telephone Baptist Church.

He is survived by his three daughters and their spouses: Terri Briscoe (Tim) of Durant, Oklahoma, Kelly Bonacci (Mick) of Angel Fire, New Mexico, and Pamela Taylor (Bruce) of Denison, Texas. Grandchildren Heath Davis (Allison), Randi Teamann (Shawn), Dylan Castle (Aspen), Drew Davis (Bailea), Kyle Abrantes, Sydney Hudson (Jered), Bailey Young (Bill), Brian Bonacci, Erica Bonacci, Brett Taylor (Ashley), Austin Taylor (Courtney), Adam Briscoe (Christina), and Lauren Claborn (Lance). He was blessed with twenty-three great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025 at Telephone Baptist Church, Telephone, Texas at 4:00 p.m. with military honors. Jace Waller, pastor of Telephone Baptist Church, will officiate. Burial will follow immediately after the service at Forest Grove Cemetery, Telephone, Texas. Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The family would like to thank the many people and agencies who cared for our Daddy over the past few years: McKenzie Miller, Telephone Volunteer Fire Department, TMC Bonham Home Health, Embark Care, Stone Brook Assisted Living and Memory Care, Centric Home Hospice, and Cornerstone Caregivers.

Memorials may be made to the Telephone Baptist Church Building Project or Telephone Volunteer Fire Department.

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