GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

H	1 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1485

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Sponsors: Representatives Gray, Sexton, Womble, Oldham, Decker, and Esposito.

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Referred to:  Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House.

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June 7, 1999

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF THOMAS H. DAVIS.
Whereas, Thomas H. Davis was born on March 15, 1918, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Egbert L. Davis and Annie Shore Davis; and
Whereas, Thomas H. Davis graduated from the University of Arizona; and
Whereas, Thomas H. Davis developed a love of flying at an early age and at the age of 16 made his first solo flight in a Taylor E-2 airplane; and
Whereas, at the age of 22, Thomas H. Davis became the sales manager for Camel City Flying Service, a distributor of Piper and Stinson aircraft based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and
Whereas, in 1940, Thomas H. Davis founded Piedmont Aviation and became vice-president, treasurer, principal stockholder, and a director of the company; and
Whereas, within a short period of time, Thomas H. Davis established 17 dealerships throughout North Carolina; and
Whereas, Thomas H. Davis helped Piedmont Aviation, Inc., become the first fully certified Civil Aeronautics Association (CAA) approved aircraft and engine overhaul shop between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, Georgia; and
Whereas, in 1947, Piedmont Aviation branched out with Piedmont Airlines and made its first commercial flight in 1948; and
Whereas, under the leadership of Thomas H. Davis, Piedmont Airlines grew into one of the leading carriers in the airline industry; and
Whereas, in 1981, Thomas H. Davis was elected as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Piedmont Airlines and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1983; and
Whereas, after his retirement, Thomas H. Davis did not give up his passion for flying but continued to fly various aircraft until 1998; and
Whereas, Thomas H. Davis was a philanthropist and supporter of many organizations, including the Baptist Hospital, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Divinity School, and the American Lung Association of North Carolina, and served as a board member and trustee of Wake Forest University, President of the Winston-Salem Rotary Club, and President of the Greater Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce; and
Whereas, Thomas H. Davis was an active member of the Wake Forest Baptist Church; and
Whereas, Thomas H. Davis died on April 22, 1999; and
Whereas, Thomas H. Davis' wife of 41 years, Nancy Teague Davis, died in 1985; and
Whereas, Thomas H. Davis is survived by his children, Thomas H. Davis, Jr., Winifred Davis Pierce, George Franklin Teague Davis, Nancy Davis McGlothlin, and Juliana Davis West, their spouses, eleven grandchildren, and many other close relatives; and
Whereas, the General Assembly wishes to recognize Thomas H. Davis for his accomplishments and extend its sympathy to his family and friends; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly expresses high regard for the life and accomplishments of Thomas H. Davis and mourns the loss of one of the State's most gifted, beloved, and respected citizens.
Section 2.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Thomas H. Davis.
Section 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.