Blackshear Assistant Fire Chief Leon Davis gave his life for his community.
Davis, 69, died in the line of duty as Hurricane Helene raged through Pierce County early Friday morning, September 27, 2024.
Davis, a veteran firefighter with over 30 years of service, died when a tree fell on the cab of a city truck. He was clearing up from a call of downed trees and power lines on Hendry Street in Blackshear near the Pierce County Department of Family and Children's Services.
Blackshear Fire Chief Bucky Goble said Davis was a 'great guy' and his death is 'just devastating'.
Davis was escorted on the final leg of his journey home by an honor guard of grieving fellow first responders. Photo by Greg O’Driscoll
Continued from Page 1 Davis is remembered this week as someone who loved helping his community and never let a chance to help someone pass him by.
Goble said the depth of the loss hasn’t really sunk in for him and the other members of the fire department.
“Leon would have wanted us to go back out in the storm to serve our community and that’s what we did,” he said.
First responders paused Sunday for a somber procession through storm-ravaged Pierce County, as the hearse bearing Davis’ body returned home to Blackshear from Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross.
Davis was well-known and well-liked in the community and loved addressing people in John Wayne-style with the moniker “Pilgrim”.
A native of Fort Bragg, NC, Davis had lived in Pierce County for over 40 years.
He retired as fire chief at Ware State Prison and then devoted his time to serving as Blackshear’s assistant city fire chief.
Davis was also a devoted family man who loved his wife, Shirley, and his sons and grandsons. One of his favorite past times was going “mudding” with his grandsons.
He was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Due to the effects of Hurricane Helene, funeral services are incomplete at this time but will be announced as soon as they are available by Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear.
For an obituary, please see page 3.
Leon Davis
