Davis was born in Thomas, Oklahoma, and his family homesteaded in Campbell County, Wyoming, in 1916.

He served in multiple legislative leadership roles and defeated the incumbent mayor of Gillette in the 1970 election.

Davis' family came to Campbell County, Wyoming as homesteader ranchers north of Gillette in 1916.

J. Fred initially planned on buying land, but learned, while 40 miles north of Gillette, that the banker he received the loan from died.

[5] During the 1954 election Davis ran for the Republican nomination for a seat in the Wyoming House of Representatives from Campbell County, but lost the primary to Ted Holdeman.

[20] Davis also lost in the concurrent state house Republican primary to Jack Mundell and Catherine Parks.

[3][23] In 1978, he was submitted as a candidate to fill the vacancy in the Wyoming Senate created by John Ostlund's resignation, but Eric Ohman was selected instead.