James Davis, former T-R editor, remembered as good journalist who cared about community

DOVER ‒ James E. "Jim" Davis, former editor of The Times-Reporter, is being remembered by his colleagues as a great newsman.

Davis, 89, of Dover, died April 28.

He started in the newspaper business as a paperboy for the former New Philadelphia Daily Times at age 8. A 1952 graduate of New Philadelphia High School, he attended Bowling Green State University, where he earned degrees in microbiology and journalism. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Army. When he returned to Dover, he began working as a reporter for the former Dover Daily Reporter.

He was part of the merger of the Daily Times and the Daily Reporter in 1968. Upon the retirement of Harry Yockey as editor of The Times-Reporter in 1975, Davis became the editor. He wrote a weekly editorial for The T-R until he left in 1990 to become editor of the Massillon Independent. Davis retired in 1999.

'One of the very, very best'

"Jim Davis was a great newsman, one of the very, very best," said Jack Shores, who served as The T-R's publisher when Davis was editor. The two played golf together many times.

"When he went to Massillon, he really turned the paper around," Shores said. "The community really loved him."

Davis was managing editor of The T-R when Joe Mizer applied for a job in April 1972. Mizer, who started out at the Coshocton bureau, worked for the paper for 43 years.

"He (Davis) probably asked me if I played golf," Mizer recalled. "I didn't, but he hired me anyway. I was reassigned to the New Philadelphia office about six months later. We always got along as friends. Jim was a good boss. He was always fair."

Kathy Vaughan Ellwood worked the majority of her career at The T-R for Davis.

“As his editorial page editor, I sometimes argued points with him but generally ‒ not always ‒ he was willing to listen," she said.

“When I was having some personal issues, he called me in the office to ask what was wrong. When I told him, he said, ‘Geez Kathy I thought your furnace went out.’

“I still have a paper plate on which he wrote ‘Make this editorial sing, Kat.’

“After retirement I would see him at Five Waters Golf Course where we would catch up on co-workers and our families. He loved his family dearly and will be missed.”

Sandy Stewart also worked with Davis in the newsroom for many years. She was assistant managing editor when he left in 1990.

"Jim was a good journalist, involved in and caring about his community, which continued after his retirement," she said. "As editor of The T-R, his door was always open to his staff and to community members. His personality contributed to his ability to talk with anyone and make them feel comfortable, one of the traits of a good journalist.

"In his obituary his family states that he and his wife, Ruth, raised five ornery children. They got their orneriness honestly ‒ from their dad – and that’s among the reasons Jim will be remembered and missed."

Community involvement

Davis served on or was a member of numerous civic, business and service organizations, including the Dover Jaycees, Tuscarawas County Community Improvement Corp., Tuscarawas County United Way, Tuscarawas County YMCA Board, and delivered Mobile Meals through April 2024.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth, five children, 21 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held with immediate family members.

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Former T-R Editor James Davis remembered as a good journalist