Family remembers US Army National Guardsman who drowned in Jordan Lake

A family is grieving the loss of a National Guard soldier following a drowning at Jordan Lake.

The drowning happened Monday in a designated swim area near Parker’s Creek Campground. Troy Davis was in the water with friends when he went under for more than 20 minutes.

“I hurt on the inside," Davis' mother, Gwen Davis, told WRAL News. "I am broken."

Despite her heartbreak, Gwen Davis is focusing on the positive after the loss of her son.

“I want to keep in my mind that he was having fun and it was just his time,” she said.

The 24-year-old was swimming at Jordan Lake when he started struggling and went under. Five friends swimming nearby couldn’t find him.

Davis’ mom says he loved loved the beach and generally knew his way around the water.

“Was he an expert swimmer? No," she said. "I would say 'moderate.' I can’t swim, so when we went to beaches, he was the one who would look out for the little ones.”

The tight-knit family says Troy Davis was always kind and always positive – a guy who liked having fun wherever he went.

As an active member of the U.S. Army National Guard, Davis deployed in recent years to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

“He just enjoyed life," his father, Eric Davis, said. "He loved it. He loved everybody around him.”

And he loved helping others.

“I have my moments. I have my moments, thinking about him and missing him and not being able to see him again," Eric Davis said. "But I’ve got four more I’ve got to be strong for.”

Troy Davis had three brothers and a sister, all of whom say Davis was a role model.

“He was so loving and caring and would do anything for you," brother Erron Davis said. "He put his life on the line, and he would do that for anybody.”