Outgoing Superintendent Duane Davis was all smiles as Assistant Superintendent Janice Linker joked about his driving habits during an event held in his honor.

Schools say goodbye to Davis

About 75 people gathered to honor outgoing superintendent Duane Davis Sunday afternoon at Sparta School’s cafetorium.

After 35 years with the Alleghany County School system, Davis’ retirement was announced effective June 30. However, he recently said that he will retain the position until a new superintendent of schools is selected.

Three school officials offered funny anecdotes and thoughts concerning Davis. They were Assistant Superintendent Janice Linker, Glade Creek principal Gary West and Board of Education Chair Charles Joines.

Linker stated that whenever an “educator is honored, it is not just the person who does the job who deserves the honor, it is also the family.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be involved in honoring Mr. Duane Davis,” Linker continued. As Linker looked over at her boss, she said, “Notice his posture here, he’s acting like something big is about to happen,” she added as the sound of laughter filled the room.

Davis shares memories of life, work in schools

Growing up on a farm here in Alleghany County, a young Duane Davis could be found by his parents, Lonnie and Clyde, peering over the edge of a building at them as he snickered to himself before eventually being spotted. Starting with silos and other structures around the family farm, a young Davis began climbing structures. As a college student, he was given money for his hijinks.

“I used to love heights and loved to climb buildings, and other structures, too, for that matter,” Davis admitted. “Most people think you can’t climb a building, but you can. There aren’t any buildings I’ve seen yet that you can’t climb.”

He then noted that when he did it, there were no structures with glass siding.

Davis said he understands the individuals some call “crazy” for doing climbing stunts.

“It makes your adrenaline pump,” he said. “You’re most alive when you’re doing that. It gives you a great feeling to go up the side of a mountain or whatever you’re climbing on, and use your body strength and intelligence to try to figure out how to keep your hold. It’s just exhilarating.”

Davis’ Education

“I had two directions to go in my life, either go into the ministry and work in that direction, or go into education and work with children,” Davis recalls. “I feel like I had a calling for both. I never made the decision to go into the ministry but I feel my work with children and with the schools is very similar to the work one does when working in the ministry. It is not something you do to make money, you do it because it is a way of life. It is a way of maximizing joy in your life and getting a satisfaction level that, in my opinion, cannot be gotten by money.”

Graduating in 1963 from Sparta High School, Davis noted that he was unsure of his future path.

“I was actually interested in becoming a veterinarian out of high school,” he said.

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