James Robert "Bob" Davenport

James Robert “Bob” Davenport, 88, of Westminster-Canterbury in Lynchburg, died Friday, January 19, 2018.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Kitty Wright Davenport of Staunton, Va.; and a daughter, Catherine Bruce Davenport and her husband, James Lewis Davenport, of Richmond, Va. Bob was predeceased by a son, James Robert Davenport, Jr.; and two brothers, Henry Ashby Davenport, Jr. and Arthur Bruce Davenport.

Bob Davenport had a 36-year career in the electric utility industry, working for American Electric Power and Appalachian Power Company. He had assignments in New York City, Roanoke, Martinsville, and Lynchburg, where he retired in 1991 as Division Manager.

Davenport was very involved in the civic affairs of the cities where he served, with emphasis on economic development and community betterment. In Lynchburg, this included serving 21 years on the Board of Directors of Centra Health, including three years as chairman; president of the Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce, which awarded him the Pro Opera Civica Award for outstanding community service; Chairman of Central Virginia Industries; and Chairman of the Industrial Development Authority. He was a member of the Lynchburg Rotary Club for 30 years.

As a man of faith, Bob Davenport served his church, Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church, as a deacon and elder. Together with his wife, Kitty, they had changed course in their middle years and switched their allegiance to a new master—Jesus Christ.

In 1993, Davenport was appointed to a partial term on Lynchburg City Council and in 1994 was elected to a 4-year term, during which he served as vice-mayor. During his service on Council, he was involved in the development of a new industrial incentive program, which helped attract a number of new industries, including Frito-Lay. Other activities included heading a Recreation Task Force that led to the construction of new recreation facilities, including two new premier soccer fields, and heading the negotiating team that led to the installation of Region 2000’s police and emergency communications system.

Davenport was born in Roanoke, Va. on January 8, 1930, the third son of Henry Ashby and Mary Bruce Davenport. He was educated in Roanoke City Schools and graduated from Jefferson High School. He received his BA degree in economics from Roanoke College in 1952 and his MBA degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1955. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

A memorial service in celebration of Bob’s life will be held on Saturday, January 27 at 11 a.m. at Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Lynchburg. Visitation with the family will follow the service in the church’s Cheatham Reception Center.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial contribution are asked to consider Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 2424 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24503.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences, please visit obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.