W
hen longtime St. Simons Island resident and artist Jack Davis passed away, the EIL staff decided that there was no way we could allow the next issue to come out without a tribute to this very special man. Instead of focusing on his career and accomplishments, we instead gathered quotes from people who knew and loved him. Having our own affinity for Jack’s alma mater, The University of Georgia, and Uga, its bulldog mascot, we started there: I got to know Jack back when I was president of the UGA National Alumni. He supported the university in aspects but he has a real affection for the UGA mascot, which my family raises. Whatever was happening with the football team, good or bad, Jack would do a drawing to reflect that with an optimistic thought. He could make that dog look so ferocious with big teeth and blood shot eyes. The national press would always pick that up and reprint it. Every time I would write Jack a note, he would write me back with a different drawing of himself. I thought that was real special. Every year I would look forward to that year’s drawing of Uga. I don’t know how we are going to get by without him. What a great loss. ~Sonny Seiler 16
ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING
A TRUE GENIUS, there is no question in my mind that guy was blessed with genius. Jack was so generous, loving and grateful always. I remember once while I was visiting him at his studio on St Simons Island. We were standing there looking at some gorgeous marsh. It was 11:00 a.m., we were drinking a beer and he told me in that sweet, kind, beautiful Jack Davis way that every morning he stands there and says the Lord’s Prayer. I will never forget that moment as it filled with such beauty and genuine feelings between us. Plus, I was sharing it with someone whose work had made such an incredible impression on me from a very early age. Jack took nothing for granted. All those MAD guys were quite humble about their accomplishments, but Jack really went beyond MAD and every corner of pop culture. I think there is still so much to be discovered and I hope I can complete the fieldwork I did with him. The Georgia Bulldogs won the lottery when Jack Davis started drawing for them. They got him right when they needed him. That’s all I’ve got right now, but the main thing is I loved him and will love him forever. ~Erica McCarthy
