Jim Davis has passed

MarkEH · June 23

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 · June 23

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 · June 23

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 · June 23

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

Mad Dog_2 · June 23

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

Mad Dog_2 · June 23

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 · June 23

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 · June 23

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 · June 23

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.

Mad Dog_2 · June 23

We'll never see his like again. Mad Dog

mattmia2 · June 23

I'm sorry to hear of his passing. You always learned something new from whatever he posted.

Bob Harper · 12:19AM

I just heard the news via Robin Boyd (Roboteq) on FB. I was thinking about Jim this morning and planned on calling him just to catch up but, of course got busy.

Jim was a true legend. The absolute godfather of CO and Combustion Analysis. I've wondered just how many people are still alive or healthy thanks to Jim, both directly and indirectly. If you want to honor Jim, don't let his efforts go to waste. Apply his doctrines uniformly and consistently. Always question things. Do not be afraid to challenge codes, stds, mfrs. instructions or industry Best Practices. Jim always tested the waters. By maintaining a healthy skepticism. He was instrumental in teaching a culture of testing rather than guessing, or worse, assuming. Jim used sarcasm and cynicism to awaken students to the realities of life rather than blind allegiance to the party line. He was a harsh critic, outspoken champion of things he accepted or adopted and filled in with banter, lampooning, humor, and physical demonstrations, such as impact testing analyzers or the floor or against anyone not paying attention.
Jim created many enemies with the august agencies that promulgated codes, standards, and generally adopted best practices because he demanded test data, how tests were structured, who benefited from pass/ fail, and what ulterior motives they had. One of his biggest targets was a favorite of mine- busting codes or standards that favored governmental efficiency and emissions numbers over public safety, equipment thermal efficiency and durability. He was a very practical man who understood his beloved analyzers were still just tools. He indicated he liked my observation from my old paramedic days when we taught the kids to treat the patient and not the machine. You have to look at things holistically.
I was thrilled when I heard David Richardson. was being brought in to take up his mantle and carry the mission forward. I hold them both in the highest regard, respect and appreciation. It has been my honor to call Jim Davis my friend and mentor. I don't consider his passing a loss because Jim left us with his legacy. I wonder if heaven has a smoking section…

Jim Davis has passed

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