Jeffrey A. Davis, 51, passed away peacefully December 20th, 2021, in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family.
Jeff was born on March 2, 1970, to Malcolm and Judith Davis in Little Falls, NY. He graduated from Gloversville High in 1988 and joined the US Navy. Jeff enlisted in the Navy and reported to basic training in August of 1988. He attended and graduated Basic Electronics and Electricity School (BE&E), Sonar Technician “A” school, and several “C” schools at the Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center, Pacific, Point Loma. He graduated Basic Enlisted Submarine School in Groton, CT and in June of 1990, he was assigned to his first submarine, the USS Lafayette (SSBN 616), which was assigned to Site 1, Holy Loch, Scotland. During Desert Storm, the USS Lafayette was involved with several battle groups, to enforce UN sanctions against Iraq, as well as assuring open sea routes, concentrating on the Strait of Hormuz. Shortly after the Gulf War ended, Chief Davis earned his “Dolphins”, and the crew decommissioned the USS Lafayette at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.
In December 1991, he went back to the Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Center in San Diego to attend another series of “C” schools, to learn operation and maintenance of a new Sonar Suite. After graduation in September of 1992, he was assigned to the USS Albuquerque (SSN 706), Groton, CT, where he served as Sonar LPO, completing several deployments to the North Atlantic, and Mediterranean Seas. In June of 1996, he transferred to shore duty as a Navy Security Policeman at the Groton Submarine Base where he then attended and graduated the Security Police Academy at the Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. He rose to the position of watch supervisor during his shore tour. In April of 1999, he reached his EAOS, was Honorably Discharged from the Navy, and became a Police Officer with the Groton Town Police, Groton, CT., where he served for nearly six years.In 1998, he received his Associates in Science (Criminal Justice) from Three Rivers Community College, Norwich, CT. In 2006, he graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in General Studies with a concentration in Law and Society. He was accepted to the University of Connecticut School of Law for the Fall 2013 class and deferred his enrollment due to his deployment with NMCB 28, where he served as the Legal Chief. Service to our country was always important to Jeff. After the attacks of September 11th, 2001, he joined the Navy Reserve, cross-rated to the Legalman rating, and attended and graduated the Naval Justice School in Newport, RI. As a Legalman, he worked in Legal Assistance at the Regional Legal Service office in Groton, CT, as well as Bahrain. In June of 2008, he was recalled to active duty to support the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (IMEF), in Fallujah, Iraq, and redeployed in April of 2008. He was promoted to Chief while deployed with IMEF. Then he served a three-year recall with the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) where he worked with the US Embassy and the United Nations employing IMET teams (International Military Education and Training) throughout the Congo. He and his teams taught the Congolese Army (FARDC) the Rule of Law, International Humanitarian Law, the Law of Armed Conflict, as well as Combating Gender and Sexual based Violence. His final tour of duty was from 2013-2014 was in Afghanistan with the Navy Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB 28). Throughout his military career he received numerous honors: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Navy Reserve Service Medal with Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Meal, Gulf War on Terrorism Service Medal, and NATO Medal.
Following his Naval career, he went relocated to Newport News, Virginia worked as a government contractor and 911 Dispatcher. He moved to Virginia Beach in 2020 where he met his future wife, Jennifer Haws and married shortly thereafter. Jeff lived life to the fullest and made every day count. He was Avid runner (finished 6 marathons and countless half marathons), Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and was a Music lover. He attended well over a hundred live concerts and was often called the “Human Karaoke Machine.” Jeff was member of Courthouse Community United Methodist Church as well as the Virginia Beach Veterans Support Group. Never backing down to a challenge, Jeff would fight the toughest battle yet. He was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiform brain cancer in May of 2020. Fought bravely enduring 2 craniotomies, radiation, proton therapy, chemo, and Optune therapies with his beloved wife, Jennifer by his side. Those who knew Jeff would say he had a heart of gold who would do anything for those he loved. Jeff will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, son and friend.
Left to cherish his memory is: his loving wife, Jennifer Elizabeth Haws: sons, Joshua and Jacob Davis; stepchildren: Sianna and Colin Haws; mother, Judith Davis; extended family in New York and numerous friends and loved ones he met along the way.
A celebration of life will be held at 4:00 pm, Thursday, December 30th, 2021at Courthouse Community United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Glioblastoma Multiforme research at UVA in Jeff’s honor. at.virginia.edu/supportuvahealth (At this link, select Neuro-Oncology Program Support from the drop-down menu) or checks can be sent to:
UVA Neuro-Oncology Research Fund
Care of Erica Cook
P.O. Box 800432
Charlottesville, VA 22908-0432
(On the memo of check please record GBM research in memory of Jeff Davis)
Send FlowersPlant a TreeService
Celebration of Life
Courthouse Community United Methodist Church.
2708 Princess Anne Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23456
December 30, 2021
4:00pm
Jeff you will be missed by so many. You were always so fun to be around. I loved working with you while we were in the Navy together. I loved babysitting your boys and I will miss you. RIP Jeff
Jeff will be missed by so many people. He led a remarkable life and served others. Prayers of peace for Jen and Jeff’s family.
Jeff’s service and commitment to this country is beyond admirable. He clearly was a fighter his whole life. May his persistence and “can-do” attitude give you all strength for many years to come. Hold the memories tight. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Jennifer, I am so very sad for you. We are in the same awful club as surviving loss to that awful glio.
Life will be very hard for a while, as you walk through the pain. But, I promise, it won’t be this raw and hurtful forever. Grieving is the price we pay when the love was so strong. Barb Hartin
I had the opportunity to meet Jeff a few months before he became ill and liked him immediately…I sometimes have wondered exactly why I felt the instant connection. I’m sure some of it had to do with the fact that we grew up in the same area, that he was a Yankee fan (LOL) and that we shared many of the same political views, but mostly it was because Jeff was simply a good and decent human being!…Even after he got sick, I never once saw him complain about the bad hand that life dealt him. Instead, he always talked about how lucky he was. Lucky to have met Jenn..Lucky to have all the friends he had.. Lucky to have a God that he knew would never forsake him. Jeff always looked at the positive side and for those of us fortunate to know him, he left a permanent memory that can never be erased! Love you Jeff!!
Jenn and family,
Ly and I miss him, but will always remember his humor, his laugh, his energy, and love of life. He was very patriotic and those that served with him and knew him respected him very much. Some of his humor is obviously related to all the stories from being in the Navy. He found himself a family in the Navy just like I did. We know he felt love and was happy to be home and not sitting alone and not being cared for. He fought hard and loved you deeply as he told me in our talks we shared often, and he appreciated all the love and support he got from your family. I am happy Josh came down and had good times spent with his dad. I also know he loved his boys very much. You all made him proud!
Fair Winds and Following seas Jeff, your brother Chief loves you.
Love Mark and Ly Adams
Jen
What a beautiful video of Jeff’s life and a celebration of your love. Thinking of you!
Amy
Jeff you and i were always friends in school along with all of your brothers . Thanks to Eric and my Sister they made you my family. I love you very much and will miss all the laughter we shared. I will always remember all our crazy Davis family fun.. love you and will miss you terrible Until we meet again❤️
My deepest condolences to Jeff’s family, his twin brother James, brothers Chris and Eric and sister Kate along with their mother Judy.
I met Jeff 32+ years ago when he was stationed in San Diego with my husband, Kevin W. Smith. He always had a smile (or a mischievous grin) and a story to tell. At the time, he and Mindy had a dog named Muffin. Muffin was a plentiful source of many anecdotes:). Although we never reconnected, Jeff’s personality and time we all shared in San Diego left my heart with great memories that will last my lifetime.
God has made him perfect. I know I will see him again.
Most Sincerely,
Linda Taggart
There are some people that you meet that you just have to like. They are literally liked by everybody because of their innate goodness. Jeff had that. I first knew him from the running scene, where Jeff was always encouraging and fun to be around. Then I got to work with him at Tradition brewery for a few months, where I got to see his kindness and humor in full light.
My heart is heavy for his wife and his family today, upon hearing this, but grateful that I got to meet Jeff in this lifetime.
I served with Jeff on USS Lafayette. He was a great guy who always had a smile on his face. He was the kind of guy that would give you the shirt off of his own back if you truly needed it. I leave prayers for his family and friends who are feeling this loss so immensely! Fiar winds and following seas, shipmate! We have the watch!
Jeff you leave behind a large void in our hearts and lives. You brought Eric and I together 30 years ago and we will always be blessed for that. We hold wonderful memories of the great times we have spent together over the years with our loud family parties.
We wish that we could have been closer to spend more time with you as you went through this terrible disease, but please know that your family never stopped thinking of you and praying for your healing. This includes your big brother Eric (Teresia) your twin brother Jim (Barbara) your little brother Chris (Cindy) and your sister Katie. Also your nieces Kiera, Alyssa and Audra, nephews Austin, Ryan, Aiden, and Andrew, your Aunt Carrie and Uncle Ron, cousin Daniel and Uncle Steve.
We know that your Dad, Grandma and Grandpa are there for you now and we will all be together again some day.
My deepest condolences go out to the family for the loss of a outstanding person.
Chief was a great mentor and someone you could talk to and get real truth. He was kind and would serve with him again if I could do it all over. No more pain Chief …. Pray for the comfort of your family as you make your transition to watch over us all!! Thank you for your dedication and service.
Our deepest condolences to Jen and Jeff’s family. Even for the short period of time we knew Jeff, we are grateful for the experience.
I am so sorry to hear of Jeff,s passing . He was a household name in the 80’s, having gone to school with some of my children. Always remember the fun stories and great sense of humor the kids shared. Prayers to all of you for healing during this sad time †
Lucianne Batty
Deepest condolences to the family. Chief Davis had an outsized personality that resonated in his peals of laughter, and he left big boot prints everywhere he went. On assignment in the Congo, we called him “the mayor” because no matter how remote we were, within a few days everyone knew his name. And that name was always “Chief.”
My heart is saddened by the death of my brother from another mother, we worked together in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I will never forget you Chief Davis and you will always be my heart ❤️
I am so sorry in your lost. The two of you were having the time of your lives. Cherish the memories and continue to live your life to the fullest. Prayers to the rest of the family.
I didn’t know Jeff long, but when I was around him, he was always smiling. I am sure he will always be remembered by many for making others happy!
Known simply as the “Chef du Village,” Chief Davis positively impacted so many lives in the Congo. He trained thousands of soldiers on the principles of the law of armed conflict with the singular goal of limiting suffering, protecting civilians, and, the most vulnerable of all, women and children. He was, and remains, a true American hero. Shipmate, it was my highest honor knowing and serving alongside you. You made the most of the limited time you had. Though you so often missed your boys while in the Congo, you took great comfort knowing you were providing an extraordinary example of self sacrifice. Your job was never easy, yet you persevered with grace and found wisdom and love. With deepest sympathy and limitless admiration and respect…fair winds and following seas.