Lewis E. "Lew" Davis

Lewis E. “Lew” Davis passed away August 21, 2025, at the age of 87. He was a man whose life was defined by service, enterprise, and an enduring love of broadcasting. At his core, Lew Davis was a Radio Man who started his career as a 16-year-old DJ with a great voice at WCJO radio in Jackson. As a 1955 graduate of Jackson High School, he served proudly as Drum Major of the Jackson High School Band before entering the United States Army. Following his military service, Lew earned a degree in Vocational Agriculture from The Ohio State University, where he served as an Alternate Drum Major for the OSU Marching Band. After graduation, Lew taught Vocational Agriculture in Mount Vernon, Ohio, before his passion for communications drew him back into broadcasting as Farm Director at WRFD radio in Columbus. He later served as Director of Public Relations for Monsanto in St. Louis, Missouri, and eventually with the Federal Land Bank in Louisville, Kentucky. It was during his tenure with the Land Bank that Lew combined his agricultural expertise with his love of radio to create the Ohio Farm Network, producing daily farm reports that quickly grew to a wide network of radio affiliates across Ohio. Lew’s calling as a broadcaster became permanent in 1970 when he acquired WKOV-AM 1330 in Wellston, marking the beginning of Jackson County Broadcasting Inc. He expanded the company the following year with WKOV-FM 96.7, added WCJO-FM 97.7 in 1993, and launched WYRO-FM 98.7 in 1994. Under his leadership, Jackson County Broadcasting grew into a respected four-station group that brought a wide variety of formats to southeastern Ohio. As his company grew, one thing never changed - Lew was most at home behind a microphone, where his familiar voice became a trusted presence for thousands of listeners. After selling Jackson County Broadcasting, Lew’s entrepreneurial spirit carried him into television as he founded Cable Channel 15 in Jackson, where he hosted the Cable Channel 15 Morning Show with his daughter Jennifer for many years. Whether on the airwaves or cable television, whether popular or not, Lew’s opinions were never in doubt. Over the course of a long career in business, he also invested in and owned several other local ventures that included restaurants, retail establishments and the Markay Theatre. Additionally, Lew’s passion for vintage automobiles was almost as strong as his passion for business. He loved collecting, traveling and showing his cars on the national circuit where he earned a number of top honors. Lew was preceded in death by his parents, William and Virginia Long Davis, and his son, Jeffrey T. Davis. He is survived by his wife, Janet Davis, daughter Jennifer (Jamey) Ratcliff; son Michael Davis (partner Kelly Wiley); daughter in law Kelly (Rob) Waugh; his sister, Mary (Joseph) Melley, granddaughters Alexandra (Rorke) Hardy and Christina (Aaron) Barnhardt; grandsons Derek (Courtney) Davis and Trent Davis; and five great-grandchildren. A United States Army veteran, a serial entrepreneur, and a broadcaster at heart, Lew Davis leaves behind a legacy of determination, innovation, and community. He will be remembered for his voice, his vision, and the many lives he touched across southeastern Ohio and beyond. Calling hours for Lewis E. “Lew” Davis will be Monday, August 25th from Noon until 2:00pm at the Mayhew Brown Funeral Home in Jackson with Pastor John Pelletier presiding. Funeral services will immediately follow the calling hours with internment in Fairmount Cemetery.

Lewis E. "Lew" Davis

September 13, 1937 - August 21, 2025