74-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Flying Over The Nation

 Jim Davis spent his Saturday morning at the Bluffton Airport checking off his bucket list. 

"The one thing on my bucket list was to fly my small plane to the lower 48 states. It took me a year to save up enough money for the trip, and during that time I thought 'that's kind of selfish of me going out and having fun. Why not do something that will help others?'," he says.  

So he did. In every state he visits, the 74-year-old cancer survivor hopes bring along other survivors for a flight in the Savannah XL, which he assembled himself. Unfortunately, in four states he was no able to reach out to any cancer survivors. But he continues his plans. 

"That's one thing dad taught us growing up, you don't do life just for yourself, you do life to help others. He's always been the guy to pitch in and help others, bless people when they didn't even know it," said his son Randy Davis, who lives in Lima. 

Davis, originally from Arkansas, has been flying since 1971. And about a month ago started his inspirational journey. Ohio marks his 22nd state. 

"It's wonderful, A great experience," said cancer survivor Thomas Hullinger. 

"It was amazing, good weather, I enjoyed the ride. A little nervous, but after the nervous fled, i completely enjoyed the entire experience," said Heather Curl, the fist to fly with Davis Saturday morning. 

Davis was first diagnosed with skin cancer in 2009. The following years he fought prostate and lung cancer. After lung surgery, doctors expected him to stay on oxygen all his life and in a wheelchair. But he has proven them wrong. 

"So I prayed, 'Lord, if you let me live through this surgery, I'm going to go and do, and as you can see he answered my prayers," he said. "And I'm going and doing."

Doing is exactly his message. 

"I think I have inspired people to get up, don't just sit there and wait. Get up and do something. You don't have to quit living even if you're dying... Life is too precious to waste," Davis said. 

From here, Davis heads to Michigan, then on to Indiana an Illinois until he reaches 48 states. 

"As long as I can get out of bed without a nurse helping me, it's a good day and I'm gonna do something.," he said.  

Davis will also be speak at First Assembly of God Church in Lima, where his son is a pastor, on Sunday at 8:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. 

If you'd like to follow his journey to the remaining 26 states, you can find him on Facebook at Passion Flights For Life.