James Randall Davenport

James Randall Davenport, of the Speedwell Community in Cullowhee, passed away surrounded by family on May 9, 2024, after a period of declining health.  Randall was born in McCaysville, GA on November 25, 1943, to the late Leland and Kathleen Davenport.  

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sharlene Davenport; children David Davenport, Dana Mace, and Leanne Pate (Tony); grandchildren Hunter Pate (Raine Huff), Daryon Lewis (Adrian), Austin Pate (Madelyn Ray), Trey Pate, and Clay Pate; 5 great grandsons Mason, Oliver, and Malakai Lewis, and Sterling and Warren Pate; siblings Joey Davenport (Linda), Danny Davenport (Charla), Robin Davenport, sister-in-law Sharon Davenport, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his oldest brother, Ronnie Davenport (Sharon).

Randall worked hard and played hard. He was a Land Surveyor by trade and surveyed all over WNC and Florida for over 50 years. It was a perfect job for him because he was a whiz at math and loved being in the woods. He was an avid deer hunter and fisherman.  He spent countless hours in a tree stand and dragged many friends through laurel thickets to fish every native trout water in Jackson County. He was a talented taxidermist - he mounted deer and fish for friends and family and loved to show off his trophy wall downstairs.

He was a State Champion Archer and enjoyed practicing the bow on his self-designed course off of the porch with anyone who would accept his challenge. He loved to golf and competed in many local tournaments with his favorite golf buddies, whose company he enjoyed immensely. In recent years, though, his favorite place was the garden. He grew monster broccoli, and enough squash and beans to feed half the county.  It was at the garden that he also practiced his golf shots, smoked us all at corn hole, co-hosted with Dave annual week-long camping trips for life-long fishermen friends, and celebrated many holidays. Thus, it is fitting that we will celebrate his life at the garden as well.

A Celebration of James' Life will be held at 1:00PM, Sunday, June 23, 2024, in the Garden on Speckled Trout Ln in Tuckasegee NC.

We love you. Couldn’t have asked for a better husband, Dad, Papaw, and friend. You set the bar and will be missed.