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John Harold Davis John Harold Davis May 29, 1930 - April 20, 2011, has always been a faithful and hardworking man that knows the value of a life. He will never disregard your wishes and will never sacrifice your comfort or well being for personal pursuit. He is a man of high integrity, a man of his word. Extraordinarily, Davis’s character has been the best form of marketing for his funeral home. His strong reputation for care is exceeding, simply, because the concerns of grief stricken families is his first priority. "What I mean by taking care of people is that you drop everything for the family that walks through your doors," said a very sincere Davis. “For some reason I have always been like that, it is something I take great pride in but, sadly, a lot of people don’t do it now-a-days." To Davis, his facility is an emotional E.R.; his full attention is needed for the people who have just lost a part of themselves. This type of service has promoted a quality experience unlike any other and, today, this form of strength and compassion has reverberated across a very large segment of Melbourne, Fla. Before Melbourne, Davis was raised in Kissimmee and led his life as a small town Southern man, even meeting his future wife while attending Osceola High School. Kissimmee was Davis’ stomping grounds until leaving for Cincinnati College of Embalming In 1954. The reason for the great trek north was because Cincinnati had the best mortuary school in the country at the time, according to Davis. However, "it was just too cold for a Florida cracker," he chuckled. Despite the cold weather Cincinnati was an experience Davis really enjoyed and in 1956 he received his funeral directors license. Nonetheless, Ohio would not be the only place he would leave his substantially sized in-land Florida home to pursue his career. In 1959, fifty five miles east of Kissimmee on the intra-coastal, Davis had an opportunity to establish a funeral home in EauGallie (pronounced O’Gally). At that time, the town of EauGallie was just north of Melbourne. Davis finds this to be amusing because he remembers when Melbourne was a little country stop-off heading south on U.S. 1. When he first drove by he "couldn’t believe that any body would wanna live in that little old swamp town." Today, EauGallie, which has been absorbed by Melbourne, is more popularly known for giving its title to a causeway that runs into Florida’s dazzling Space Coast beaches. Nevertheless, this major causeway also happens to be where Davis-Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory stands today, just two blocks away from the original small, stucco house that had the honor of holding the name Davis Funeral Home until 1966. "Somebody told me that there was a funeral home for sale near Melbourne, so, I turned my head, looked at my wife and said ‘we ain’t getting any younger, so, we might as well,’" said Davis, reminiscing on the old Funeral home in EauGallie. Luckily for Davis he hit Melbourne as it started to expand. It still felt like a small and familiar town to Davis. Actually, one of the contributing factors to his success was getting to know everybody. To this day Davis, now retired, still comes in to his funeral home making sure he personally meets people. "It just happens that everybody still asks for me,” said Davis, giving acclamation to the close knit community of EauGallie and Melbourne. "I am even close friends with the owners of the other funeral homes in Melbourne," said Davis. Another aspect to his success as a vibrant and spirited funeral home has always been providing a good service. “People remember how you treat them, their parents, and any other family,” said Davis, explaining that making people feel comfortable and responding to their needs with unabated attention creates a trust that will never be forgotten. “I have had people come up to me after 31 years, remembering their parents arrangements, still saying that it was a beautiful service,” said a proud Davis. What makes a modern day hero; strength, power, knowledge? What about courageousness, leadership, heart and the ability to deal with what most people can never face: Death.

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James W. Young James W. Young, fondly known by many as “Jim,” is no ordinary man. Everyday it seems he is up before the alarm clock, waking and embracing the obstacles and events that the day places on his path; for he has found a passion unlike any other. He strives to make everyday special and enjoyable for people that walk through his doors, or at least bearable. He makes every effort for the satisfaction of his customers, under any circumstances, and pushes himself and his 25 employees to make every moment count. Young is a funeral director, founder and owner of a series of funeral homes and, most of all, a man with a mission: to make this world an easier place for us all. For some people death can not be understood. Its presence grips the very consciousness of our bodies with shock, heartache, and rage. It breaks us down into a melancholy until our bodies are consumed by numbness. Induced by the unreal and fostered by a void, our psyches’ transition into a tolerable state is very hard-pressed. Nonetheless, Young knows this and it is his duty to protect people from any unnecessary hardship. He cannot reverse this cycle but he can help resurrect the life that once was. He has mastered multiple strengths in 30 years of being in the funeral environment. With all his power, Jim does his best to help individuals recreate a loved one in an affectionate final tribute that celebrates their most treasured memories. “The ability to reestablish that emotional link is crucial for families so that they can reach closure,” said Young. To him, serving the family to the fullest capability is probably one the most rewarding things that he can do to give back. Ultimately, he would like to take grief and pain out of people’s lives even before they reach his facilities but that is usually never the case. Nonetheless, when people do arrive at their most distressed he is at his best and most nurturing. “It breaks my heart to see people in this situation and it is hard to watch family members and spouses deal with this most sudden and severe transition,” said a heartfelt Young. “So, we help them and support them as if they were one of our own,” he added. Taking an extra step in the care of a family’s arrangements and services, Young makes a special effort with his facilities. He expects an environment that is warm, inviting, and divine. He wants to let people know that they will be taken care of along with their loved one. This is why his philosophy of “immaculate facility and affordability” is omniscient compared to competitors. “We are full service facilities, not only do we pride ourselves in our funeral homes but every need is taken care of on the premises, nothing is subcontracted,” said an exuberant Young. “This allows us to control costs and pass on savings to our families.” Young has dedicated his life to his businesses and expects the best out of them. He has founded and currently operates Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Sebastian, Fla; Davis-Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Melbourne, Fla; and Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Vero Beach, Fla. As well, he owns Eagle Monument Cemetery Services and manages Palm Beach National Chapel, a facility conveniently located across from the Veterans Affairs National Cemetery in Lake Worth. Palm Beach National Chapel has recently opened to further reach families in need and is sure to achieve its full potential under his leadership. His strong will, competitive nature, and very nurturing character not only make him a modern day hero but compel him to make it easier for people who are coping with death of a loved one. Emotionally it is one of the hardest jobs on earth; Young faces it head on each and every day with fervor and tenacity so that families and friends can face it as well.

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