John “Johnny” Thomas Davis, Jr., 71, of Buxton, North Carolina, passed away peacefully in ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte Hospital at 6:45am on Tuesday, July 11th, 2023.  As Hatteras fishermen say “Johnny has crossed the bar.”

John was born on Oct. 27, 1951. “Johnny” loved the sea growing up in Buxton, N.C. from an early age. Johnny was raised by his Grandfather Connie Reid Farrow.  Who taught him a passion for hunting. He spent summers fishing, Hunting, snorkeling and spearfishing. He began working as a mate on Charter boats in the 1970s.  Johnny moved to Fort Lauderdale and became 1st Mate on the Frisky Lady Charter boat. With his love of fishing he achieved his Mariner’s License.

Johnny spent 40 years in the Bahamas and south Florida. Locals called Johnny A “Conky Joe” which means white Bahamian.  He really lived in his element. Even riding out the worst storms and Hurricanes on small Bahamian islands.  His first love was entertaining guests on Marlin Charters.  He caught a world record Black Marlin in the 1980s.  Johnny did Charters for people out of Chub Key.  His most famous charter was with Kurt Russel and Goldie Hawn.  In his spare time he enjoyed the art of Bone fishing and tying his own flies.  If you knew Johnny you know he had a great smile, laugh, and would tell amazing stories of life on Hatteras island, and South Florida. Johnny Davis was a true Waterman.

In the mid-2000’s he moved to Maryland to work on Paul Tudor’s Game Reserve where he enjoyed taking clients on guided hunting tours for waterfowl.  Johnny lived a full life and earned a wealth of knowledge about the outdoors. His son Justin Davis said, “My Dad is the real life Jimmy Buffett if there ever was one.” Johnny was a class act and enjoyed the finer things in life. He held his head high and expected the best out of everyone.  If you knew Johnny; you knew he could light up any room of people.  He will be missed by his family, and friends everywhere.

Johnny is preceded in death by his mother Alta Lee Pugh.  He is survived by his only son, Justin Cole Davis; siblings Eddie Mason (Becky), Dawn Anthony (Dale), Reid Mason (Debbie), Tim Mason (Shelly), and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of life for Johnny will be held on Hatteras Island. Contact Justin Davis if you would like to attend. Dates to be determined.

“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than those you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain.  May God care for Johnny and wait for us to join him in heaven.

Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family.  Arrangement’s are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory, Port Charlotte Chapel.