Grace College & Grace Theological Seminary mourns the loss of the institution’s fourth president, Dr. John Davis. Davis devoted 39 years of faithful service to Grace and served as president from 1986 to 1993.
“Dr. John Davis will always be remembered for his deep study of the Scriptures and his love for Whom they are all about,” said Dr. Drew Flamm, president of Grace College. “We are so grateful for his fidelity to God’s Word – a legacy that continues to shape how we go about higher education today.”
Davis was first a student at Grace Theological Seminary (GTS), where he earned a Th.M. and Th.D. A prolific scholar, Davis later became a professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at GTS. He had a robust knowledge of the land of Israel, as well as Old Testament law, literature and prophecy. His students enjoyed learning from someone so well-studied, well-published and well-traveled. Throughout his career, Davis taught in 45 countries.
In addition, he served as a translator for the New International Version of the Bible, and he contributed to the study edition of the NIV, the NASB and the Christian Life Edition of the New King James Version. Davis authored 18 books and recorded 15 music CDs over his lifetime. His weekly column in the Warsaw Times Union, “Outdoor Scene,” provided a channel for Grace to connect with the broader community for 31 years.
Beyond teaching, Davis was willing to fill a variety of roles to help the institution thrive. For six years, he served as executive vice president before becoming president from 1986 to 1993. Davis also served as the seminary’s director of admissions for four years. Even after his formal tenure ended, he remained a faithful supporter of Grace’s students and its mission.
“To the very end, it was evident Dr. Davis loved Grace,” said Flamm. “As he entered the presence of His Savior this week, I have no doubt he heard the words, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’”
A visitation will be held on Friday, Feb. 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, and his memorial service will take place on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 1 p.m. at Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake.
Read Davis’ full obituary here.
