Former Fort Smith city director, ABF training boss dies suddenly (Updated)

Joe Davis, the director of training and quality awareness at ABF Freight System and a former Fort Smith City Director, died suddenly Friday morning (Nov. 7). He was 64.

Davis worked with Fort Smith-based ABF for 42 years. He is a past president of the Westark Area Council of Boy Scouts, served as Ward 4 City Director between 2001-2004, served on the Fort Smith Planning Commission (2008-2010), served on the Riverfront Task Force, and was a graduate of Leadership Fort Smith. He earned a bachelor’s degree in transportation and marketing at the University of Arkansas.

In late 2007, Davis coordinated ABF’s efforts in donating a truck to deliver U.S. Marshals artifacts from Cheyenne, Wyo., to Fort Smith. Prior to the shipment, Fort Smith had been named the site for the national U.S. Marshals Museum.

Judy McReynolds, president and CEO of ArcBest, the parent company of ABF, issued this statement to company employees:
“It is with great sorrow that we let you know that Joe Davis, Director of Training for ABF Freight, passed away suddenly this morning. Joe had been a faithful employee of ABF Freight and ArcBest for over 42 years. Through his work in various areas of our company including sales, operations, Quality, corporate facilities and training, Joe touched many lives. A major part of his time here was spent educating and training our employees in the ABF Freight Quality Process and in the many ABF Freight training classes that he coordinated and developed. His work in helping equip our folks with the knowledge and tools they needed will benefit us for many years to come. Joe’s fun-loving spirit and great sense of humor were endearing qualities that many of us will remember fondly and with a smile.

“Please join all of us in offering your condolences to Joe’s family, and continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers in the coming days.”

Davis entered the ArcBest corporate headquarters building Friday morning, but suddenly collapsed. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

David Humphrey, vice president of Investor Relations for ArcBest, said Davis came into contact with thousands of company employees because of his leadership in the training and quality programs.

“I can’t think of anyone in our entire company who has had more contact with our people than Joe Davis,”  Humphrey said. “It has to be a huge, huge percentage of our people” who he had contact with.

Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders issued this statement: “Joe Davis served Fort Smith citizens for many years, on the planning commission and the board of directors. In these roles, he contributed many hours to the citizens of our city and to the business community. Still, Joe was compelled to also be involved in the lives of young men in our area, as a leader in the Boy Scouts of America. Fort Smith will miss Joe’s quick wit, his love for others, and his passion for our region.”