Jim Davis has passed

MarkEH · 12:42PM

It is with great sadness that I post this thread. My friend and mentor, Jim Davis, passed away in his sleep on Saturday 6/20/2026. He was 79 years old.

I met Jim in 1993 at the class he was giving on CO and combustion. I can honestly say that his class changed me as a contractor. In my many years in this industry, I have never met a man more dedicated to educating people and more importantly, saving lives.

I know as a fact that many contractors that use this forum have been just as affected by Jim's teaching. I met Matt Sweeney at that first course in 1993, and he has never forgotten Jim or what Jim taught him. Jim also held Bob Harper in high esteem. Jim referred to him as a genius in many of our discussions. While he and Bob did not agree on everything, they agreed on the most important things. If you don't test, you don't know.

Jim contacted me in 2023 to bring me on board at NCI as an instructor. What an absolute blessing it was to get to work with my mentor and learn from him before his passing. While he is no longer with us, his legacy will continue.

GGross · 12:47PM

Very sad to hear this. I loved reading what Jim had to say. I always meant to get down there to take one of his classes. He was truly an unsung hero of our industry.

Mad Dog_2 · 1:12PM

I am heartbroken 💔. I loved this man. Jim was "A Disruptor" (Be a Disruptor by Stratis Morfogen). Jim had nerves of steel and feared no man or beast. Saw Combat in The 'Nam. Jim cut right through the Bull and gave it to you straight. He was also one of the most brilliant men I ever have encountered in this business.

I still remember hosting Jim at my Mom's House in Floral Park for Steaks and some Fine Kentucky Bourbon after his training class down here on The Island 🏝. We even did a Field Trip to My House with the Class to test my new Boilers. My Brother Bart and Mom Colleen (Both Gone) hosted Jim, Mark Hunt and Darin Cook, Johnny New York Cataneo and a few others.

Thank you for letting us know, Mark, and please post any pertinent information here. Mad Dog

RayWohlfarth · 1:13PM

im sorry to hear He was one of the sharpest people in the industry and will be missed

Mad Dog_2 · 1:28PM

I'll try to dig up a good photo of him teaching. Feel free if anyone has one. Mad Dog

Mad Dog_2 · 1:34PM

Remember him throwing Carbon Monoxide Detectors across the room?? And the late, great Al D' Ambola?? Ha ha. They put on a great CO Boot Camp and sent us out Gung-Ho on our way..Mad Dog

MarkEH · 1:54PM

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1899055#Comment_1899055

Combustion analyzers back then were smaller than some of todays models. Jim probably would have given someone a concussion with the new ones. Al is very much alive and still with NCI. He had a close call with a heart attack a couple years ago, but he's doing very well.

Mad Dog_2 · 2:00PM

Dont believe The Hype...Oops. ha ha Sorry Al. I owe you a Few rounds. "The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated!" Mark Twain...Mad Dog

JohnNY · 8:44PM

This sucks, Matt. We had a great group of all-in dedicated guys back then and we all learned from each other. The guys you mentioned, Darren, Mark Hunt, etc I haven’t spoken to in many years but my goodness the yelling and screaming we did back then, all in great fun. We socialized with Jim Davis and he scared the crap out of us some days. I became a good CO tech (testing, detecting, and eradicating) because of what he taught us. I know, I know: He would go head to head with the manufacturers but he could always back up his **** with test results.
Rest in Peace, Jim Davis.

Jim Davis has passed

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