October 2, 1937 February 3, 2024
Bakersfield Coyt Reid Davis of Bakersfield, California, age 86, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2024. He was born on a farm near Ringling, Oklahoma, on October 2, 1937 to Joe T. and Fannie (Ayres) Davis. Coyt spent his early childhood in Oklahoma prior to the family relocating to Santa Barbara, California. Later the family moved to Bakersfield. He said it was so they could be with all the other Okies. He attended Mount Vernon Elementary, Golden State Junior High and graduated from East Bakersfield High School in 1955. He was quite the athlete in high school and played football, basketball, baseball, and participated in track. He set several records for the time in the 880 and other distance races. He won the valley championship in the 880 and the 1320.
He attended Bakersfield College after high school and continued to run track. He was the Metropolitan Conference champion in the 880 both his freshman and sophomore years and took second in the state championship his sophomore year. He was later inducted into the Bakersfield College Track Hall of Fame for the records he set in the 880. He then transferred to the University of California, at Santa Barbara on a track scholarship, where he continued to excel in the 880. He placed as high as eighth nationally at UCSB. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1960.
Coyt met Janet Renfrow upon returning to Bakersfield after college. She became the love of his life and they were married in February 1962. The marriage lasted nearly 60 years until her death in 2021. Janet and Coyt would welcome sons Scott and Chris and daughter Dana.
He initially worked at Kern Medical Center and later transferred to the Kern County Health Department where he was employed as a public health microbiologist. He also worked part time for Bakersfield Community Hospital for many years. Coyt retired from full time work in 1999, but continued part time at the county for several more years.
Coyt enjoyed his retirement. He loved his second home in Cayucos, California, and he never missed any of his grandchildren's activities. Countless soccer, baseball, football, and dance competitions kept him busy.
Coyt was preceded in death by his beloved wife Janet, his parents, brother Gregory (Lowell), sisters Jody, Chelsea, and Agatha, and grandson Mason Davis. He will be missed by his three children, Dr. Scott R. (Barbara) Davis, Christopher M. (Jana) Davis and Dana G. (Todd) Davis-Polsfut. He has six grandchildren who loved him: Collin, Connor (Skyler), Colton, Lauren, Olivia, and Kate. He has many extended family members and dear friends who will also miss him. They were all special to him.
A graveside service for Coyt will be held Monday, February 26, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306.
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