John David Davenport, 71, of Centralia, Il., passed away after a heart attack on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, at Palmetto General Hospital in Miami, Fl., with his loving family by his side.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, at Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home, 235 North Sycamore Street, Centralia, IL 62801. The burial will follow at Little Grove Cemetery in Walnut Hill, IL. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.
David was born September 16, 1947, in Chattanooga, to John Haul and Reba Sue (Morgan) Davenport. He graduated from Tyner High School in Chattanooga, TN and then Tennessee Technical University in Cookeville, Tn. His master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering was from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Forty-five years ago he married Doris Ann (D. Ann) Tilghman on August 11, 1973 in Chattanooga.
David traveled extensively for Massey-Ferguson Inc. and later the AGCO Corporation as a Combine Product Specialist. Several times he was assigned responsibilities in Mexico and Canada. He also worked for a time at Joy Mining Machinery in Mt. Vernon, IL.
David enjoyed NASCAR races, St. Louis Cardinals baseball and was also a fan of University of Tennessee basketball and football. He loved attending Centralia High School Orphan basketball and football games. He was a multi-gallon blood donor for the American Red Cross. David was an active member of the Centralia Church of Christ and an excellent Bible class teacher. His dedication to the Lord was admired by many.
David is survived by his wife D. Ann of Centralia, IL and his daughter Susan Lowrance and husband Casey of Miami, FL. He was “Paw Paw” to four grandchildren: Oliver, Henry, Charlotte and Savannah all of Miami, FL. He is also survived by one sister Suzanne Bartel and husband Larry of Rising Fawn, GA. David was preceded in death by his parents John Haul and Reba Sue Davenport and a son, Andy Davenport.
In honor of David, memorial donations may be made to the “Big D” Relay for Life team or to Orphan’s Lifeline International (
www.orphanslifeline.org) and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home, who is honored to be of service to the Davenport family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting
www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com.