Sydney Fant Davis, III

Sid entered USNA from Toledo, OH. After commissioning, he became a naval aviator, spending four years on active duty.

 

He then entered law school at the University of Florida, where he became Executive Editor of the Florida Law Review. Graduating in 1963 in the top 10% of his class, Sid commenced his legal career with a Jacksonville law firm, becoming a partner in just three years. In 1967, he joined the legal staff of Delta Airlines in Atlanta rising to VP and Assistant General Counsel. After 12 years with Delta, Sid moved to Fort Mill, SC to become VP, General Counsel and Secretary of Springs Industries.  From 1984 to 1985, he was Chairman of the American Society of Corporate Secretaries.  After leaving Springs in 1985, Sid became managing partner of a Knoxville law firm before moving back to Atlanta where he founded a venture capital company and AVLEASE, an aircraft leasing corporation. In 1993, he entered private practice until moving to Naples, Florida in 1996 where he continued in private practice. Sid was a member of the Bar in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. An accomplished author, he published two books, Delta Airlines: Debunking the Myth and a novel, Murder in Lisbon. 

 

Naval Aviator, Lawyer, and Author, Sid died from pancreatic cancer on 24 October 2001.  His cremains are interred in Arlington National Cemetery. Sid’s family includes Susan, his wife of 45 years; three daughters, Susan, Kathleen, and Sydney; and seven grandchildren.  Susan continues to live in Naples.