John Edward "Jack" Davies

John Edward “Jack” Davies, 86, a long-time Doylestown, Pennsylvania resident died Wednesday, May 25, 2022 in Lansdale, PA where he relocated in August of 2021 to be closer to his family. He passed peacefully at Lansdale Hospital after being admitted the previous evening. He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth “Bette” Davies, nee Foley, and his son John E. Davies, II. The son of Ray and Dorothy (Koss) Davies, he was born in Davenport, Iowa on February 13, 1936. He graduated from St Ambrose Academy High School in 1954 and the University of Iowa in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology. He later obtained his MBA from Pace University in New York City, NY graduating magna cum laude in 1976. At the age of 10, Jack was a paperboy and delivered the Daily Times as well as caddying at the Arsenal County Country Club. For a short while he was also a bus boy at Bishops cafeteria until he became a Pharmacy Assistant at Day Pharmacy in Davenport Iowa from 1955-1958. Once he graduated from college, his first job was Sales Rep for E.R. Squibb and Sons. He was quickly promoted to District Sales Manager, then Hospital Sales Manager and then finally to Group Product Director. He joined Amchem Products as VP of Marketing from 1970-1976. He led Rhone Poulenc as Senior VP and General Manager of Agricultural Products from 1976-1983. In 1983, he founded and was Chairman, CEO, and President of Ecogen Biotechnology – the first biotechnology company in the agricultural industry. Jack married Elizabeth A. Foley on September 2, 1957, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport, Iowa. Together they had five children: Kevin (Mary, nee Collins), John II, Brent (Ann, nee Parker), Matthew and Theresa. The family moved to Doylestown in September of 1970 and lived at the same Spring Valley Road address until Jack and Bette moved to Bonita Springs, Florida in 1995. After Bette Davies passed Jack married Joanna Kilgore. Jack was an avid golfer belonging to Doylestown Country Club and Bonita Bay Country Club. He had a lifetime dedication to his faith including belonging to the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Even though the family relocated to Pennsylvania he remained a loyal Iowan and continued cheering for his Iowa Hawkeyes. He loved to read and go fishing with friends and family, but his favorite pastime was spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is survived by four of his children (Kevin, Brent, Matthew, and Theresa,) seven grandchildren (Moira, Sean, Erin, Sami, Addie, Lucy, and Jessica), three great grandchildren (Finley, Jack, and Kaia.), and more than 30 nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church 235 East State St. Doylestown, PA 18901 on Thursday June 16, 2022 at 10:30 AM. Friends will be received at the church Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Knights of Columbus, 1111 W. 35th Street, Davenport, IA 52806.