‘A kind and gentle man’ 

John C. Davis, 91, a long-time Boyle County magistrate and passionate community supporter died Thursday in Danville.

Current Boyle County Magistrate Phil Sammons said he had known Davis for about 50 years, became friends and served with him on the Boyle County Fiscal Court for at least three terms during Davis’ 33 years of holding office as magistrate in District 5.

“He thought things out. He didn’t just vote for anything,” Sammons said. “I had a lot of respect for him… I remember he was really conservative and doing a good job as a magistrate.”

Former Boyle County Judge-Executive Tony Wilder said of Davis’ passing that he was very saddened of the news. He recalled Davis was very well-respected and served his church and family. 

In official county business Wilder said, “You could always count on him to be calm and reasonable,” in every situation. 

“He studied the issues and worked hard,” Wilder said.

Boyle County Treasurer Mary Conley said, “I worked with him for a long, long time, probably about 18 years.” After holding office, Davis occasionally stopped by the courthouse to visit, Conley said, because he liked keeping up with county government. 

While remembering his service to the residents of Boyle County, Conley said, “He was always a kind and gentle man … He was very conservative in how to spend tax payers’ money. He really represented the people that he served.”

Not only was Davis known for his years of service on Boyle Fiscal Court, he was also very active for decades in the Lions Club and Masons.

According to Davis’ obituary, he was also recognized as one of the longest licensed funeral directors and embalmers in Kentucky, holding his license since 1951. He served many families at Preston Pruitt Funeral Home over the years.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. today (Saturday, Sept. 16) at Centenary United Methodist Church with Pastor Scott Stith, Dr. Quentin Schultz and Pastor Sean Ryan officiating. Burial will follow at Bellevue Cemetery.