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James Ray Davenport
Lance Corporal James Ray Davenport, of the United States Marine Corps, died while serving our country in Iraq on the morning of Wednesday, November 22nd, 2006 at the age of 20.
James was born December 31st 1985 in Independence, Missouri. He spent the first few years of his life in Archie, Missouri. At the age of 5, he moved to Danville, Indiana where his family still resides. From kindergarten through the eighth grade James attended Kingsway Christian School in Avon, Indiana. James attended Bethesda Christian School in Brownsburg, Indiana from the ninth grade until he graduated on May 25th, 2005. Prior to graduation, James joined the United States Marine Corps on January 12th, 2005. On August 16th, 2005, James began his basic training at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California. He graduated from basic training on November 11th, 2005. He remained in California for additional training, until he was stationed at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, in February of 2006. On September 13th, 2006 James was sent to the Anbar Province of western Iraq to serve for a seven month tour with his fellow marines. Unfortunately, his service was cut short when the Humvee he was driving ran over an IED, killing him instantly. James will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
James is survived by-
His parents Clifford and Tammie (Rayl) Davenport of Danville, Indiana
His older brother Daniel JR Davenport of Indianapolis, Indiana
His Grandparents Everett and Ruby Rayl of Versailles, Missouri
Other family includes-
Pamela and Dennis Robertson and Family of Edwardsville, Kansas
Belinda and Donald Cowan and Family of Harrisonville, Missouri
Barbara and Donald Wimsatt and Family of Archie, Missouri
Nicki and Harry Karg and Family of Archie, Missouri
Shannon and Edward Tervol and Family of Archie, Missouri
Renee and Steve Tallman and Family of Archie, Missouri
Gayle and Jack Lehman of Versailles, Missouri
Ronald and Linda Rayl and Family of Versailles, Missouri
Ronald and Isabel Gray and Family of Bates City, Missouri
Connie and John Hamilton and Family of San Antonio, Texas
Theresa and Michael Lowe and Family of Pasadena, Maryland
Terry and Lisa Rayl and Family of Richmond, Virginia
Martha and Michael Cianos and Family of Wilson, North Carolina
Melinda Wallace and Family of Seneca, South Carolina
James was preceded in Death by-
Grandparents Glenn JR and Mary Aldine Davenport
Aunt Iris Marie Ritter
Uncle John Thomas (TJ) Wallace
The family will receive friends from 6pm-8pm, Thursday December 7th, 2006 at the McDougald funeral home in Anderson, South Carolina.
The Funeral services will be held at 2pm Friday, December 8th, 2006 at the McDougald funeral home in Anderson, South Carolina. The service will be officiated by the Reverend Lyn Hill of Grace Baptist Church in Seneca, South Carolina. James will be buried at the family cemetery in Anderson, South Carolina.
In lieu of flowers or memorials the family requests that you please continue to support our troops who are serving the country in Iraq by sending a Marine a Christmas gift. For more information contact Grace Baptist Church in Seneca, South Carolina, at 864-888-0703 or send an e-mail to sendourtroopsachristmasgift@yahoo.com
A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting- www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com.
THE MCDOUGALD FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements.
THE FINAL INSPECTION
The Marine stood and faced God
which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you Marine,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The Marine squared his shoulders and
said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't
because those of us who carry guns
can’t always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
that wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
among the people here;
they never wanted me around
except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
but if you don't, I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Marine waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God,
"Step forward now, you Marine,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
-By Peter Hornbach |
