JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Following an exhaustive multi-day search for Thomas Palmer Davis, the missing boater on the St. Johns River, his life was celebrated in a heartfelt ceremony. Davis was 69 years old.

Efforts to find Davis were led by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), alongside the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department and the U.S. Coast Guard. They had been searching the river near Naval Air Station Jacksonville since Davis vanished on December 14.

His boat was discovered drifting without him on board, amidst reports of strong winds on that day, which family members suggest might have played a role in his disappearance.

Will McKee, Davis’s brother-in-law, described Davis as someone who cherished outdoor adventures, particularly on the river, and was always known for his approachable and kind personality. He shared with First Coast News that the family deeply appreciated the tireless work of first responders and the community’s support during the search.

According to his obituary, Davis was a Jacksonville native, born and raised in the city.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the School of Forestry at Virginia Tech and a master’s degree in City Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Davis lived in Brooklyn, New York, working for the City of New York’s Energy Department for three years. Then, he moved to Philadelphia and received a Master of Business Administration (Finance) from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. 

Davis eventually returned to his hometown in the 904. 

According to his obituary, “he received his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification and had a long career in institutional investment management with Barnett Banks, Independent Life Insurance Company, American Heritage Life Insurance Company and JEA from which he retired in 2022.” 

The obituary states Davis “was an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Jacksonville.”

Davis is survived by his wife, daughters, grandsons, siblings, nieces, nephews and their children.