Gus Louis Davis Jr.

Gus Louis Davis Jr., 89, of Morehead City, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, March 24, 2025, his son, Gus D., and caregiver, Beverly Davis, were by his side.

A service in remembrance of his life will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 2nd at Munden Funeral Home, officiated by Rev. Powell Osteen. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Gus was born on September 9, 1935, to the late Gus and Katherine Davis, in New Bern, NC. Gus graduated from Morehead City High School and furthered his education at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where he received his Bachelor of Arts in English in 1958. While at UNC, Gus stayed in Vance Dorm in the same room as the esteemed author, Thomas Wolfe, he was quite proud of that. In 1961, Gus received a Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University and went on to practice law for over 50 years in Morehead City, NC. He was deeply committed to serving his community and found great fulfillment in his legal practice.

Gus also found time to immerse himself in the many activities he loved. He enjoyed fishing and was an avid hunter. His brothers often said, “Gus would claim anything that hit the ground, whether he shot it or not!” Gus also enjoyed Carolina Basketball and often told the story of how he was at UNC when they won the National Championship in 1957 when they defeated Wilt the Stilt and the Kansas Jayhawks. Gus was among the first to show Franklin Street how to celebrate a Carolina win! Gus loved playing cards and always enjoyed shopping for his beloved wife, Jackie Davis.

More than anything, Gus enjoyed being around his family and friends. He was known to be a great storyteller. Gus was most content when those he loved were happy. No stranger to a kitchen, he was known to show up with freshly made club sandwiches or hot dogs and chili sharing whatever he had made.

In 1963, Gus married his beloved wife, Jacquelyn Waters Davis, and they were blessed with 58 years together before her passing. Gus was an active member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church where he served as a lay reader. Gus will be remembered as a generous man who consistently served his community and those in need, and he was always an advocate for the underdog.

Those remaining include his son, Gus Louis Davis III; grandsons, Tyler Davis and Cooper Davis; brothers, Louis James "Buddy" Davis and wife Pat and William John "Johnny" Davis and wife Kathy; sisters-in-law, Mary Davis, Rachel Waters Craddock and Helen Waters Bass; nieces, Dr. Julianne Davis, Melissa Craddock, Mary Worthington, and Ann Wilde; and nephews, Jay Davis and Preston Craddock.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Gus was preceded in death by his brother, Peter Davis.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.