Deacon James Davis, 90, of Forest Park, died Nov. 9. He was ordained in 1979 and was retired from minsitering at St. Martin de Porres Parish.

He was born in North Carolina and served two years in the U.S. Army. He married his late wife, Fannie Knox, in 1944. The couple were married for 59 years.

Deacon Davis worked as an officer in the Illinois State Police for 25 years. In 1963, he was baptized Catholic. He sent his children to Catholic schools and was among the first black permanent deacons ordained in the archdiocese.

In retirement, Deacon Davis ministered as a chaplain at Mercy, Cook County and Loretto hospitals and worked as a certified addictions counselor in the community.

Deacon Davis is survived by his children Portia Shaw, Gail Davis and Kevin Davis; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.