George W. Davis

Mr. George W. Davis, 89, of Uly White Rd. Hartwell, GA husband of the late Shirley Pugh Davis passed away Friday, July 10, 2015. Mr. Davis was born September 30, 1928 in Mohawk, NY to the late Thomas and Elizabeth Davis. Legendary football coach George Davis arrived in Seneca Falls in time for the 1950  school year and between 1950 and 1970 made Mynderse Academy and Seneca Falls the Capital of High School football in Upstate New York. Coach Davis grew up in Mohawk, NY and was an outstanding halfback. After joining the U.S. Navy in 1943 and serving in the North African Campaign as a medic, he was discharged in 1946, married the former Shirley Pugh from his hometown, and enrolled  at Syracuse University. While at Syracuse, George  earned four  varsity  letters,  started at  left  halfback  for  two seasons and set many records, most of which were broken by the immortal Jim Brown. Two memorable collegiate achievements of Coach Davis were scoring three touchdowns (including one on a forty yard run) against Colgate in 1949, and being chosen for the Shrine North-South game. Coach Davis’ record at Mynderse included eight consecutive League Championships and nine   out of ten between 1951 and 1960.  Coach Davis had seven undefeated teams in twenty-one   years and six other teams that lost only one game.   George  Davis  coached  an undefeated team in each of three decades (50’s,  60’s, and 70’s).     From 1951 thru 1961, Davis’ teams had an 87% winning percentage, won 9 League titles and   lost a total of 2 League games.   During Coach Davis’  21years at Mynderse Academy, he had many 1st Team All-State   selections, a high school  All-American selection and three consecutive 1st Team All-State   quarterbacks:  John Pannucci, Gene Nicandri, and Dave Wormuth. Coach Davis’  winning   percentage while at Mynderse was 80%. George Davis left Mynderse Academy after the 1970 football season to become the Head Football Coach at Hobart College. During Davis’ five years at Hobart, he compiled a 37-16 record with a winning percentage of 70%.  Davis later returned to high school football, coaching near his hometown in Camden, NY and in the state of Georgia.     All 6 members of this year’s inaugural class who graduated between 1951 and 1971 played   football for George Davis.   He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Left to cherish his memories are his daughters Georgia Claire Davis of Statesville, NC; Patricia Lee Canne of Hartwell, GA; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Mr. Davis' wishes were to be cremated and no services are planned at this time. Share your stories and photos in Mr. Davis' Book of Memories online at www.berryfh.com. Berry Funeral Home & Crematory, Elberton is respectfully in charge of the arrangements for Mr. George W. Davis.