John C. "Jack" Davis

John C. “Jack” Davis, a resident of Aiken, South Carolina, died on May 29, 2026 in Aiken, South Carolina. He was 88 years old. He is survived by his wife, Ann N. (Stensgaard) Davis, a Dane whom he met in Sweden, married on July 31, 1965 in Arizona, and with whom he traveled the world for the rest of his life. He also leaves his two sons, Christian J. Davis and his wife Inmaculada of San Lucar, Spain, as well as Philip N. Davis and his wife Leslie of Crestview, Florida, his grandchildren John, David, Gisela and Tatiana Davis, and also his sister Joyce Martell and her husband Greg of Bedford, Pennsylvania.

Born in Long Island City, New York, on June 12, 1937, Dr. Davis was the son of Frank E. and Gladys (Mates) Davis. He attended St. Barnabas Elementary School and Seton Hall High School. A Navy veteran (1954-58), he served aboard the submarines USS Albacore (AGSS-569) and USS Trout (SS-566). He later earned B.A. and M.S. degrees from Hofstra University and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas. He undertook additional graduate studies at the University of Stockholm, Sweden, the University of Vienna, Austria and Syracuse University.

An educator for 46 years, Dr. Davis was a public school history teacher in Huntington, New York, a high school principal in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and a superintendent of schools in Pittsfield and Somerville, Massachusetts. Internationally, he taught history and political science at the University of Aarhus, Denmark and led international schools in Copenhagen, Denmark; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Doha, Qatar; and Paris, France. He also served as a Regional Education Officer in the Office of Overseas Schools of the U.S. Department of State. In that capacity, he had responsibility for international schools in the Middle East, South Asia and the Mediterranean.

Dr. Davis held numerous posts in educational organizations, including serving as president of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, president of the Near East/South Asia Council of International Schools, vice president of the Association for the Advancement of International Education, president of the Berkshire County, MA, Superintendents Association and president of the Berkshire County, MA, High School Principals Association.

In addition to his parents, Dr. Davis was predeceased by his son LCDR Kevin J. Davis and his brothers Frank A. Davis and Paul S. Davis.

Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at a later date followed by interment in the Barrancas National Cemetery at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida.

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801.