Obituary of John Davenport, Jr.

John Davenport Jr. was born November 24, 1968, to Gloria and John Davenport (Johnny). John was affectionately called Jay, Johnathan, Coach Jay, Coach John and Coach Fresh by many who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents: Gloria and John Davenport, his brother John Davenport ll (Affectionally called Danny), his loving wife La’Trevia Davenport, lovely called Dawn. 

 

As the youngest sibling John drove his sibling nuts! Sometimes they wanted to hang him. But he was the baby, and that’s how he got away with all his antics.

 

John was a product of the Detroit Michigan Public Schools System. He fashioned himself as an intellect and he was brilliant in many ways; often too smart for his own self. John graduated from Tacoma Community College with an Associates Degree with emphasis in Psychology/Education in 2004. 

 In 2006 he went on to earn a Bachelors of Arts in Business of Administration with an extensive focus in Social Justice and Public/Non Profit Organizational management from Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus. John completed a Dual Masters Degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Leadership Specializations in Crisis Management and Disaster Preparedness from Grand Canyon University in 2011. Hence the nickname brainiac our mom gave him!

 

John served 7 years 9 months and 23 days in the United States Army from, September 09, 1987 to June 6, 1995; as a Single Channel Radio Operator. He was honorably discharged in 1995 at the rank of E4.

 

John worked for Relife School as a Education/Safety and Community Liaison, where he had to opportunity to mentor many youth, some even at risk. He also worked as a Transit Operator for Pierce Transit for 4 years. His last place of employment was with the Port of Seattle, where he was a member of Teamster Local 117.

 

John’s faith in God led him to his passion. A love for youth and people. With loving support from many including his late wife Dawn; he put that passion into action, stepping out on faith and on October 23, 2011, he birth a non-profit youth and sports organization, Pugent Sound Youth Empowerment Service (PS-YES). John was a true NFL Steelers Football fan, because of that love, under PS-YES the Tacoma Steelers Youth Football and Cheer Team was formed. Black and Yellow all day everyday. John ensured that the team colors were not just colors, but that they had meaning to them:

Black - Honor Integrity and Pride

Yellow/Gold - Our path 

White - Purity and Innocence

Silver - Strength and Resilience 

 253 Unleashed Dance Team was birthed, and finally the Northwest Sabres Baseball team. This is where so many slogans like “We Together Make It Better”, Win With Dignity Lose With Grace”, “Play with intensity live with integrity”, “We all we got, we all we need”, and “Be the man that beats the man”.  John’s faith in the Lord was evident by the labor of love he gave to so many youth and people.

 

John’s sunset was November 24, 2020 at 7:36 pm at Good Sam Hospital. He leaves to cherish his memories his children: Brandon Robinson, Jahmel/Kyleigh Davenport, Ayasha Davenport, Jalen Davenport; His granddaughter: Nayomee Davenport; His sisters: Cassandra Davenport, Sheila Davenport, Gloria/Tracy Banks; His Parent-In- Laws: Glenda Michell, Howard (Tee)/Gwen Turner; His Brother in laws: Jason Haney, Howard Turner, Aaron Scott, Shane Mitchell, Shawn/Jasmine Mitchell; Many aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews, family and  friends.

 

The service will be streamed starting at 12:45pm on 12/16/2020. Please copy and past the link below:
https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/945765214

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