James "Jim" Austin Davis passed away on August 31, 2026, at St. Alexius in Bismarck at the age of 79. A celebration of his life is scheduled for October 3, 2026, at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Jim was born on August 15, 1947, in Devils Lake, North Dakota, to John and Edith Davis. He graduated from Devils Lake High School in 1965 and went on to attain a Bachelor of Philosophy with a Speech Major from the University of North Dakota (UND) on May 23, 1971.

He ran The Davis Tavern in Devils Lake through the 70s, meeting Pam Moen during that time, and the two were married on April 26, 1974. Together they welcomed three boys: John, Mike, and Kris. 

After moving his family to Mandan in 1980, Jim dedicated 38 years of his life to the North Dakota Heritage Center Newspaper Archives, preserving the historical records and newspapers of the region. He was deeply engaged in historical and archival projects, notably his work on the North Dakota Newspaper Microfilm Project alongside esteemed colleagues, and wrote numerous articles for the State Historical Society's "Dakota Datebook" program. 

Outside of his archival work, he loved to sing, play guitar, garden, play golf, and even wrote a song about the 2011 Souris River flood. Above all, he loved being a grandfather to Raymond, Stephanie, C'Aira, Jayden, Logan, Ewan, Cora, and Liam. 

Despite battling worsening COPD in his final years, Jim provided loving care to his wife, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Although Pam forgot many names and people, she always remembered Jim and wanted him by her side.

Jim is survived by his wife, Pam (Mandan, ND); son John and Tammy (Mandan, ND); son Mike and Brei (Hatton, ND); son Kris (Mandan, ND); daughter-in-law Mandy (Bismarck, ND); grandchildren Raymond, Stephanie, C'Aira, Jayden, Logan, Ewan, Cora, and Liam; sister Shirley and Jerry Keating (Minneapolis, MN); brother Tom and Remy Davis (Belen, NM); brother Fr. Jack Davis (Chimbote, Peru); brother Joe and Joan Davis (Devils Lake, ND); sister-in-law Joan (Albuquerque, NM); brother Bill and Susan Davis (Mandan, ND); sister-in-law Lana; brother-in-law Greg Miller (Edmore, ND); sister-in-law Carol Arlien (Devils Lake, ND); brother-in-law Russ and Sheila Moen (Devils Lake, ND); brother-in-law Rick and Dorothy Moen (Devils Lake, ND); sister-in-law Kim and Brad Nosbusch (Warroad, MN); sister-in-law Terri and Larry Locken; and sister-in-law Patti and Mark Hanson (Aneta, ND); along with many loving extended family members and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Edith; parents-in-law Arnold and Patricia Moen; sister Jean and brother-in-law Dwight; brother Tim; and nephew Zachary Moen.