Birmingham's J. Mason Davis, a prominent attorney and civil rights figure, has died.
He was 90 years old.
"My dear friend -- J. Mason Davis, Jr. one of Birmingham's prominent attorneys, businessmen, and historians -- has transitioned from this earthly realm this morning," wrote Birmingham businessman Patrick Packer in a post to Facebook April 4.
"I will miss our long conversations in person and on the phone about the many stories from his time at Talladega College and his extensive knowledge of the history of our beloved Birmingham. His keen memory of so many Birmingham family and business stories was always amazing to take in. Rest well, my dear friend and Alpha Brother."
Davis was born in Birmingham in 1935.
He was educated in segregated Birmingham public schools and later attended Talladega College where he received an A.B. degree with highest honors.
After graduating from the State University of New York School of Law as a member of the Law Review, he returned to Birmingham and began his law practice in 1960. When he retired he was working at Sirote & Permutt, now known as Dentons Sirote.
As the attorney for a number of students who participated in the widely publicized Huntsville lunch counter sit-ins during 1961 and 1962, Davis played a key role in the desegregation of Alabama. He argued a series of appeals and won every case at the Court of Appeals.
In 1984, he made history as the first African American president of the Birmingham Bar Association, according to The Birmingham Times.
He also served as the first minority adjunct professor at the University of Alabama School of Law, where he taught from 1972 to 1997.
Beyond his law career, Davis served as chair of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce from 2000 to 2001 and led the United Way of Central Alabama from 2002 to 2003.
Davis' family operated Davenport-Harris Funeral Home in Birmingham for more than 100 years and also operated Protective Industrial Insurance Co. from 1923 to 2004.
Davis was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Human and Civil Rights from the NAACP in 2013 and inducted into the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame in 2016, according to The Birmingham Times.
And in 2019, the United Way of Central Alabama established the J. Mason Davis Leadership Society, honoring his legacy of service and leadership, according to the organization's site.
The Magic City Bar Association shared its condolences in a Facebook comment Sunday.
"His life and work helped change Alabama for the better, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come," the group wrote.
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all who were touched by his remarkable life."