Col. Theodore "Ted" Lee Davis Jr.'s Obituary
Col. Theodore “Ted” Lee Davis, Jr., USAF (Ret.), lived a life defined by resilience, mentorship, and unwavering determination. He passed away on April 27, 2026, after courageously surpassing every expectation in his battle with glioblastoma.
Born in Charleston, SC, in 1962 to Doreen and Ted Davis, Sr., Ted grew up as an Air Force brat, embracing diverse cultures while living in places as far-flung as Panama, Saudi Arabia, California, England, and Ohio. From an early age, he learned to adapt, but more importantly, he learned to fight for his goals—an ethos that would define his life.
A graduate of Myers Park High School, Ted went on to attend UNC-Chapel Hill, where he met his future wife, Suzanne, at a Spongetones concert. After graduation, he joined the Air Force as an officer through OTS and earned the call sign “T.O.” When faced with the rigors of Weapons School, where failure loomed, he famously told his friends he would be "dragged out by his bloody fingernails" before quitting. Not only did he pass, he became an instructor, embodying the spirit of never giving up. To this day, graduating students who demonstrate exceptional resilience are nominated for the T.O. Davis Award.
Throughout his 25-year career from Air Battle Manager to Squadron Commander, Ted carried that fighting spirit into everything he did. He was an integral part of numerous missions at home and abroad, yet he considered mentorship to be his greatest legacy. Ted believed that true success meant creating and nurturing successors; whether advising military students or colleagues in the defense industry, he was always looking for someone to lift, honoring those who had once lifted him.
Ted’s greatest joy was his children, and he took immense pride in watching them grow into wonderful adults. A global traveler for both work and leisure, he delighted in sharing good food and a wee dram with friends across the world. His weekends at “Ithaca,” his home in Huntersville, were not complete without mowing the lawn on his John Deere while listening to a podcast, smoking a cigar, and wearing his signature white button-down shirt. He often ended those days admiring his mystery garden with a "thin one" and his faithful Springer Spaniel, Rufus, by his side.
Ted was predeceased by his mother, Doreen Mary Davis (née Card), originally of Essex, England.
He is survived by his loving family: his wife of nearly 40 years, Suzanne; his children, Caroline and Jackson, both of Charleston, SC; his father, Theodore “Ted” Davis, Sr., and his brother, Howard Davis, both of Myrtle Beach, SC; his mother-in-law, Barbara Cannon; his brother-in-law, Jim Cannon and wife Holly, and their children Claire, Lauren, and Charlie; his cousin Nancy Carol Porter of Hilliard Ohio; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is also survived by countless friends and protégés who will continue the fight because, as Ted showed us, the journey is the destination and life is always worth the effort.
In his memory, a dedicated bench sits at Colonial Lake on Beaufain Street in Charleston, SC; his family will forever envision him there, peacefully enjoying the view.
The family wishes to thank the many friends who supported them through this journey. The cards, letters, texts, and acts of kindness arrived exactly when they were needed most. Deepest gratitude is also extended to the dedicated teams at Novant Cancer Institute Huntersville, Amada Senior Care Home Health, and VIA Hospice for their exceptional care.
Service Information: A service to celebrate Ted’s life will be held on May 9, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Huntersville, NC followed by interment in the Church Cemetery. Immediately following the interment, a reception will be held at the Church.
Memorial Contributions: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to:
Hopewell Presbyterian Church: https://bit.ly/GivetoHopewell
Veterans Bridge Home: https://veteransbridgehome.org/donate/
James Funeral Home is serving the Davis Family. Memories and condolences may be shared online at https://www.JamesFuneralHomeLKN.com
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