John Charles Davis

John Charles Davis, 72, of Knoxville, passed peacefully from this life at home on July 15, 2021. Charles was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on February 22, 1949, and grew up in Scott, Arkansas. After graduating from North Little Rock High School in 1966, he attended the University of Arkansas, where he received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in electrical engineering. He entered the Air Force immediately after graduation. While Charles was stationed at the Military Airlift Command (MAC) Headquarters at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, he was a lead Air Force project manager on the Airlift Deployment Analysis System (ADANS) project that was being developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to automate the airlift scheduling processes during Operation Desert Storm. Charles worked tirelessly throughout the war to ensure the airlift mission was accomplished, managing the ADANS airlift scheduling software development and enhancements to deliver and resupply troops and cargo between the United States and the Middle East. He retired from the Air Force after over 21 years of service as a C-141 pilot and instructor, an electrical engineer, and a computer programmer. After retirement from the Air Force, Charles was recruited to work with the Center for Transportation Analysis at ORNL where he was the lead interface between ORNL and the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command. Most importantly, Charles was a Christian who was a member of the Karns Church of Christ. From the time he was baptized into Christ as a teenager, his faith was profoundly important to him. He selflessly served others and could always be found making visits, and working behind the scenes to make sure people were taken care of, and everything was running as smoothly as possible. Charles was an Eagle Scout. He had been an Amateur Radio Operator for more than 50 years, using the call sign WA5PGV and achieving an Extra Class license. He was a member of the Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Manly Davis and Laura Mae Dexter Davis, and by his brother, Charles Dexter Davis. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Natalie; son, Christopher Davis and wife Amber; daughter, Jennifer Alsup and husband Brad; and six grandchildren all of Knoxville. He is also survived by a sister, Ann Wilkins and husband Dan of Guatemala. The family wishes to thank the Amedisys Hospice team for making Charles’ wish to remain at home possible. We also wish to thank Charles’ loyal caregivers. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 20 from 9am until 11am at Rose Funeral and Cremation – Mann Chapel. A funeral service will follow immediately. Burial will be at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery at 2200 East Governor John Sevier Hwy at 2pm the same day. Military honors will be rendered by the Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations in Charles's memory be made to one of the following: Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies 6612 Beaver Ridge Rd., Knoxville, TN 37931: https://makingpreachers.com Tennessee Memory Disorders Foundation: 1400 Dowell Springs Blvd., #340, Knoxville, TN 37909 https://tmdf.org/ Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard: P.O. Box 22122, Knoxville, TN 37933 Arrangements by Rose Funeral and Cremation – Mann. Online condolences may be made at rosefuneraltn.com. Services will be livestreamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RoseMannHeritage.

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John Charles Davis

February 22, 1949 - July 15, 2021