Jerry Michael Davis

Jerry Michael Davis, of Westlake, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2026. He was 86 years old.

Jerry was born in Olla, Louisiana on November 17, 1939, to Inez and Buddy Davis. He was raised in LaSalle Parish and remained proud of his North Louisiana roots throughout his life.

After graduating from LaSalle High School, Jerry joined the United States Navy and served on the USS John King, one of the Navy's most advanced warships at that time. He was among the ship's original crew and participated in her first deployments, taking him to ports around the world. The experience broadened his horizons, but Louisiana was always home. Upon returning to LaSalle Parish, he married the love of his life, Betty, beginning a marriage that spanned more than sixty-three years. Betty was his constant companion and source of strength.

Jerry's career reflected his values of hard work and responsibility. After the service he joined Chevron Oil working in the Gulf of Mexico. Determined to improve his opportunities, he returned to school to study electronics, and upon completion of his education, joined Western Union, spending much of the 1960s traveling across South Texas and Louisiana replacing old teletype equipment with newer, more advanced technology. In 1970, Jerry moved his family to Westlake, Louisiana, and began a career with PPG Industries that lasted until his retirement.

Jerry loved Louisiana and embraced the state's reputation as a Sportsman's Paradise. From an early age he spent countless hours hunting, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors. He was a lifelong Southern Baptist and felt closest to God when surrounded by nature.

Sports were a constant presence in his life, and the television was rarely far from a Saints game, a golf tournament, or any sporting event. During his later years, he found comfort in rewatching his favorite westerns and knew dialogue from John Wayne and Clint Eastwood films by heart. Even as his memory faded, Jerry could recite Shakespeare's "Friends, Romans, countrymen" speech with remarkable precision.

Jerry was a proud conservative and longtime Republican who never shied away from a political debate. His sons were often on the opposite side of those arguments, and discussions could become "spirited." Yet beneath any disagreement was a father who took pride in having raised independent thinkers. Though their political views sometimes differed, his sense of civic responsibility and patriotism left a lasting impression on all three of his children.

Jerry firmly believed that working hard was one of life's most important virtues and nothing brought him greater pride than the success of his children and grandchildren. Family members working in demanding careers-especially healthcare-and those working "away from home" were forgiven for missed holidays or special occasions because he understood the obligations of work and duty.

Jerry is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Betty Collins Davis; his children, Michael Brenden Davis of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Barry Hunter Davis of Houston, Texas, and Christie Davis Dufrene and her husband, Mike Dufrene, of Lake Charles, Louisiana; his grandsons, Matthew Collin Dufrene wife, Zoe Prejean Dufrene, of Lake Charles, and Garrett Michael Dufrene and wife, Claire Thigpen Dufrene, of Moss Bluff; and great-grandchildren, Louie Dufrene, twins Rosie and Poppy Dufrene, and Knox Norman Dufrene. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Dorris Lane Collins Loe, and brother-in-law, Shelby Loe, of Tullos, LA, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Inez McMillan Davis and Buddy Nathaniel Davis; his sister, Joan Ann Davis Rachal and brother-in-law, Joe Rachal, his mother-in-law, Tommie Corley Collins, and father-in-law, George Collins, all of whom he loved dearly.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Jerry's long-time physician, Dr. Jody George, and the staff of The Family Care Center in Westlake, as well as the caregivers from Home Instead, especially Mel, who provided great comfort and support to Jerry and the family. The family also sends their utmost appreciation to the staff of the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home and the Lamm Family Care Hospice who delivered care with empathy and compassion in his final weeks.

In accordance with Jerry's wishes, there will be no public funeral service. A private family graveside ceremony will be held later this summer. Cremation was entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish can make a donation in his memory to the Alzheimer's Association through the Jerry Davis tribute page at www.alz.orghttps://events.alz.org/fundraisers/michaeldavis/in-memory-of-jerry-m--davis.