At 86 years old, David Davis still reaches for his carving tools with the same curiosity that first sparked his interest as a child.
Today, David is a resident at Morning Pointe of Chattanooga Assisted Living, where he continues to practice the hobby that has shaped more than seven decades of his life. Recently, he had the opportunity to share that passion during the community’s Hobby Fair, where David displayed several pieces of his chip carving and wood carving work. Fellow residents stopped to admire the detail and craftsmanship, many expressing how impressed they were by his talent and dedication.
His love for chip carving began more than 75 years ago, when he was a fifth-grade student. One day, his teacher, Mrs. Harrison, arrived at school carrying a small wooden dog she had carved herself. Young David was fascinated. He asked if she would teach him how to carve—and she did.
That simple classroom moment became the start of a lifelong passion.
David never set the hobby aside. Through different seasons of life, he continued carving, refining his skill and deepening his appreciation for the craft. In 2006, he took his passion a step further by enrolling in a Swiss chip carving course led by Wayne Barton, one of the most respected names in the art form. Swiss chip carving quickly became his favorite style and remains his first love within the craft today.
Now in his mid-80s, David still spends time at his workbench, carving with patience and intention. His current project is especially meaningful: wooden rattles for his two newest great-grandchildren. Each piece is carefully shaped by hand, blending tradition, craftsmanship, and family love into something that will be passed down to a new generation.
For David, carving has always been about more than wood and tools. It’s a way to stay connected—to his younger self, to the teacher who took time to encourage him, and now to the great-grandchildren who will one day hold something made by his hands.
Seventy-five years after that first carved dog caught his eye, David is still creating—proof that a simple lesson, given at the right moment, can last a lifetime.
About Morning Pointe Senior Living
Founded in 1997 by healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living operates assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in five southeastern states, including AL, GA, IN, KY & TN. For more information, visit morningpointe.com.
The philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living is the Morning Pointe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to provide clinical scholarships and caregiver support.
