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There’s a colloquialism in University of Georgia lore that honors the best of the Bulldogs. Those that ascend to greatness become known as “Damn Good Dawgs.”
Jack Davis didn’t just encapsulate the greats of his beloved Georgia through his unique artwork, he was a DGD in his own right.
The legendary cartoonist and Georgia alum passed away on July 27 on his cherished St. Simons Island after complications from a stroke. Before entering into the ethereal life, Davis spent the majority of his 91 years on Earth living and breathing all things UGA.
The man who never missed a Florida-Georgia game drew the covers for many Georgia game day programs and never once took a dime for doing so.
Here’s look at a few of his renderings from his Georgia collection.
Another selection of artwork from our Jack Davis collection (MS2964). #DGD pic.twitter.com/Xs6JIpL2No
— Hargrett Library (@hargrettlibrary) July 28, 2016
I have had this poster since 1980. RIP Jack Davis#DGD pic.twitter.com/GCbD0XfJHP
— Coach Jarv (@JarvisUSHistory) July 28, 2016
Rip to great UGa Artist Jack davos #DGD #Legend pic.twitter.com/8SCeJeUmfj
— Jacob oldknow (@JacobOldknow) July 27, 2016
Sad to hear of passing of famed cartoonist, 1st District resident, & #DGD Jack Davis https://t.co/o0JJBawsOv pic.twitter.com/fbRGVvZXqQ
— Buddy Carter (@RepBuddyCarter) July 27, 2016
RIP, Jack Davis #DGD pic.twitter.com/5OU6melpeI
— 960 The Ref (@960theref) July 27, 2016
One of my favorite Jack Davis pieces. RIP, Jack. #DGD #UGA pic.twitter.com/S2YEWgLCPj
— ⚫️??️?️?⚫️ (@_ABOwens) July 27, 2016
Jack Davis print with note from Coach Dooley sits in my dogs' room so they have someone to look up to! #RIP #DGD pic.twitter.com/stZpjm1kml
— CCM Sr. (@ClemsTweets) July 27, 2016
Thankful for Jack Davis' impact on @UGAAthletics! #leGacy #RIP #DGD pic.twitter.com/qdf8tHU81n
— Georgia Golf (@UGAGolf) July 29, 2016
#TBT to the art of Bulldog Legend, Jack Davis, who was a great artist & an even better supporter of the #Dawgs. RIP pic.twitter.com/DP4B6Jle2H
— Georgia Basketball ?? (@UGA_WBB) July 28, 2016
https://twitter.com/PompousGet/status/721624148775202816
https://twitter.com/ItemElegant/status/689209814245859328
Happy birthday Jack Davis! Illustrator & artist at Mad Magazine, EC Comics and our very own Georgia Florida game! pic.twitter.com/CorF0DhX4x
— Michael G. O’Connell ☠️ ? (@mocando) December 3, 2015
Of course, Davis wasn’t just a figurehead of Georgia proportions. His work was revered across the spectrum from sports to satire to the spooky. After returning from World War II, Davis used his money from inking a Coca-Cola advertisement to move to New York City. In the Big Apple, a desperate Davis wandered into the offices of Al Feldstein and Bill Gaines, and the rest was magazine history with the creation of Mad Magazine.
He’d go on to create 36 Time covers and 22 more for TV Guide. It was Davis who gave the Crypt Keeper his familiar look, and generations upon generations of kids both the willies and giggles.
R.I.P #JackDavis #MAD artist pic.twitter.com/S2w5pbdiux
— Tommy D ?? (@tomedoyle) July 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/CurseYouKhan/status/759102805370081280
https://twitter.com/CurseYouKhan/status/759101922989203456
RIP the great artist Jack Davis. How many days of my youth were spent in awe & laughter at his talent. #whatmeworry pic.twitter.com/r1EuMuflvs
— Lance Linares (@LanceLinares) July 29, 2016
Damn. RIP Jack Davis. https://t.co/fGyJOgAQp9 pic.twitter.com/Sx6yXZ5cAN
— hawk krall (@hawkkrall) July 29, 2016
Remembering Cartoonist & #Illustrator Jack Davis pic.twitter.com/LdXTfxsnxN
— Print magazine (@printmag) August 8, 2016
Davis doesn’t just hold a place in the hearts of UGA fans. The cartoonist also gave life to Captain Jack, the seafaring mascot of the College of Coastal Georgia.
Jack Davis, the illustrator and namesake of our mascot, Captain Jack, has died. We thank you, Mr. Davis. #CCGA pic.twitter.com/zW1Tt2EdNy
— Coastal Georgia (@CCGAtweets) July 27, 2016
It’s safe to say that the world is a less colorful place without Jack Davis in it.
Chris Wuensch is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers South Carolina and Tennessee.
