Steve was a very talented athlete who could have played a lot of positions. He came as a quarterback but because of his athletic ability especially his quickness and marvelous hands we moved him to split end. I never coached a player with better hands and softer fingers for catching the ball. Blessings to Steve and his devoted wife Julia and family. May this fun loving man rest in peace.
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Thoughts for a Tuesday afternoon about my husband's passing:
What Steve and I had very few find - we were crazy about one another, and we were always together - rarely apart... we were best friends as well as lovers. As you know, we stood the test of time - 40 years married, and we hung tight all the way through to retirement... to the beach and a motorcycle ride 10 minutes away where Steve's life was in absolute bliss and filled with happiness to his journey's end.
I didn't ask to be delivered this crossroad, but I am approaching it with Faith & hope. I'm moving forward and praying for wisdom for my future decisions.
Steve will remain precious in a lot of people's hearts and memories... they rarely make em' like him anymore - a genuine person who everyone liked - gentle, kind, of good morals and manners - loved to laugh and crack jokes and a very generous person, esp to those of lesser means. His iconic darling smile and gentle kiss will remain in my soul always as will the memories of the simple things he loved and we shared together - music, having me by his side and getting to the beach early.
Hail Steve!
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My prayers and thoughts are with the family of my classmate Steve Davis. I remember Steve as having a beautiful smile and personality and the best athlete and I am proud to say I too am a product of the great class of 1972.
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Steve was my brother-in-law. He was smart, funny & loved being at our family gatherings, especially at Christmas. We would gather at my brother's & sister-in-law's john & Patty's warm home in Bear, De. At times like this we realize it wasn't the gifts under the tree, it was the people around it! Steve loved his family, especially his dedicated wife, Julia, as he would car her. Steve had a insatiable laugh that was genuine. Steve was a simple man who loved his music, especially blues` & Jazz`. He loved the water, boating, and beautiful sunsets.He was a football pro in college, breaking many records. His parents were a class act. The shadow cast by his parents certainly allowed him to shine brightly in his world. Taken to soon from us now, but will never be forgotten.
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Sorry to hear about Shag. Played ball with him @ Uga. He was a very good athlete. Very friendly and outgoing. May he Rest In Peace. Pat Collins
1
I really enjoyed my time with Shag on our football team. We were freshman together. Shag played well and I practiced well :-) being from South Georgia, we had a lot to kid each other about. I’m so sorry he passed. I’ve been looking forward to seeing him when he would come back to Athens to one of our Lederman club functions. One day I will see him again. I am praying for your family I can’t imagine y’all’s loss. Paul DeMersseman
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Barnes & Noble Athens, Ga
4
I met Steve "Shag" Davis at UGA when he arrived his freshman year. We became good friends, but were not always the best influence on each other. (I highly recommend Steve's pride and joy book, "Dawgs Gone Wild" by "the foremost historian of Georgia Bulldogs football," Patrick Garbin). Steve spent countless hours in his later years putting together true and fascinating stories of life during his days at UGA. Not only was Steve a great all round guy and great athlete, but a very good story teller.
The book was the reason I reconnected with Steve after 40yrs. In 2012 he organized a meeting in Athens with his best friend Dave "Nish" Christianson, Patrick Garbin, and myself to discuss plans for "Dawgs Gone Wild." It was a great reunion! Steve had not changed a bit. Soft spoken, kind, funny, very witty, thoughtful, and generous. We stayed in touch via phone and emails during the publishing of the book. He came and stayed with my family in Georgia one year on his way to Athens for an alumni football game.
Steve and Julia decided on retirement in Navarre Beach, Florida. They invited us down to their home in Navarre Beach on a few occasions. I mentioned his generosity. Pretty much expense free as he and Julia fed us, took us to the beach, went out on Steve's boat, motorcycle rides, Harbor Walk Village, Crab Island, hot tub, and pool. But best of all was catching up with Steve, hanging out, listening to loud music, and just reminiscing about UGA football , McWhorter and Reed Hall adventures back in the early 70's.
Steve's passing caught us all by surprise. Gone way to young! I will always miss Steve and remember the good times we had together. Really a cool guy that had no enemies...RIP "Shag"
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I met Steve “Shag” Davis back in 2012 when I asked him to be part of a book project I was working on, which described the “game of my life” for a couple dozen former Georgia football players. Within a year, I had realized Steve had his own unique story—one occurring both on and off the football field at UGA—which was far more extraordinary than his recollection of the 1976 Georgia-Alabama game. In 2017, with Steve as the book’s primary contributor and subject, our "Dawgs Gone Wild: The Scandalous ‘70s of Georgia Football" was published by The History Press.
Steve’s life was that remarkable!
Still, more so than getting to know Steve via book projects, I was blessed enough to gain a great friend. I will never forget him and the impact he made on my life. He was so easy to talk to and get along with. He visited me at my home just outside of Athens, Georgia, on several occasions during our book project and then for a book signing soon after the book was published. Each time he visited, I don’t know who was more excited to see him: me or my two children, who called him “Mr. Steve.” (Fittingly, Mr. Steve taught my son how to throw a football more accurately.)
Here’s to Shag… A true Damn Good Dawg! You’ll be forever missed, my friend. - Patrick Garbin
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