Johnny Sanders Davis

Johnny Sanders Davis passed away peacefully on June 20, 2026. He was born June 22, 1944, in Eufaula, Alabama, to the late Mr. Willie and Mrs. Susie Davis. His upbringing, drive, and determination led him to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Technology from Tuskegee University (formerly Tuskegee Institute) in 1967.

Upon graduation, he earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. He went on to complete Squadron Officer School in 1972 and later earned his Master's degree in Industrial Management from Central Michigan University in 1974. He also completed Air Command and Staff College in 1986 and Air War College in 1991.

Johnny served twelve years on active duty in the Air Force as an Electronics Systems and Safety Engineer and a Weapons and Space Systems Program Manager, through assignments at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Los Angeles Air Force Base in Los Angeles, California; and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. He separated from active duty in 1979 but continued his service in the Air Force Reserves in the Aeronautical Systems Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he retired as the ASC Reserve Program Staff Director.

In a civilian capacity after separating from active duty, he worked at Systems and Applied Sciences Corporation in Dayton, Ohio, as a Senior Systems Engineer and Assistant Operations Manager, and later for the Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) as a Program Manager and subsequently as Vice Commander of the Dayton Detachment, ASC, AFMC. He retired from the U.S. Department of Defense at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, having served in the Headquarters, Air Force Materiel Command Safety Office as Chief of Weapons Safety.

Johnny had over forty years of management and technical experience in the acquisition and safety of aeronautical, space, directed energy weapons, and missile systems.

He was a very proud alumnus of Tuskegee University and loved playing golf, table tennis, and racquetball; watching sports; and dancing.

He is survived by his very loving wife, Mildred Thomas Davis of Powder Springs, Georgia (originally from Union Springs, Alabama); his son D'Andre N. Davis, daughter-in-law Ellen Hodo Davis, grandson Grant Davis, and granddaughter Hailey Davis of Smyrna, Georgia; and his daughter Darilyn Davis Stewart and grandsons Dylan Stewart and Carter Stewart of Powder Springs, Georgia.

He also leaves to cherish his memory a loving aunt, two sisters-in-law, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

An interment service honoring Johnny Sanders Davis will be held at 10:00 a.m. on July 10, 2026, at the Georgia National Cemetery, located at 1080 Scott Hudgens Dr, Canton, GA 30114. Friends, family, and community members are invited to attend this final tribute.