Richard Cunningham Davis

Born September 6,1925 in the West Temple neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, Richard Cunningham Davis was the third son of Margaret Holland and Rufus Davis. Rufus, a truck driver, abandoned the family in 1936, and Margaret, a housekeeper, moved to the Watts / Willowbrook community with her sons, Rufus Jr., Romeo, and Richard. Having skipped from 4th grade to 6th grade, Richard entered and finished Compton High School earlier than most his age. His mother could see behavior and activities counterproductive to becoming a responsible adult. She insisted that he enlist in the Army. Recruiters had a different objective, the United States Marine Corps. It was 1942- and 17-year-old Richard was on a bus off to boot camp and the many lifelong lessons of Camp LeJuene, North Carolina at Montford Point. Between 1942 and 1949, more than 20,000 Black men were trained at Montford Point. Recruits were housed in prefab huts. They had to build their own camp. After boot camp, Richard was assigned to the Fleet Marine Force and started his tour in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. For two years, he managed the ammunition supply. He traveled to Guam, Okinawa, Palau and finished his service in Honolulu with an Honorable Discharge in 1946. In 1947 he met and married his lifelong partner, Dolores Parks of Watts, CA. They had three children: Saundra, Marilyn and Jacquelyn.

Richard was hired as a Recreation Leader by the City of Los Angeles at Will Rogers Park in Watts, CA. He used the GI Bill to receive his undergraduate training at Compton College and George Pepperdine College. Graduate work was obtained at Long Beach State College with emphasis on teacher training in secondary education and in the counseling center with specialization in child guidance and counseling, as well as the University of California, Los Angeles with emphasis on Pupil Personnel Services and special education.

His professional career began in the Compton Unified School District in 1952 as a teacher. When he secured his first teaching and coaching assignment, he had an eye toward the 1952 Olympics. That was to be his only dream deferred. In 1969 he was appointed Child Welfare and Attendance Supervisor. Richard also served as an administrator, Coordinator of summer school, supervisor of home teaching, vocational education counselor, work experience coordinator and continuation opportunity school counselor, and in 1975, made the move to Sacramento.

Richard retired July1, 1986 from the Sacramento County Office of Education as a Project Manager for Child Welfare and Attendance. He had been active with the California Association of Supervisors, Children Welfare and Attendance (CASCWA) as a virtual life-long member. He served as Vice President, President-Elect of Southern Section, President of Northern Section, Delta/Sierra Section and as the State Association President.

While his passion was providing second chances to troubled youth, he was also a devoted husband, father and world traveler. He encouraged and supported Dolores to earn her B.A. and M.A. degrees and specialty certifications. Richard made himself available to referee high school and college sports and NCAA Olympic trials into retirement. The fishing and camping trips to almost every lake in California, nearly all the National Parks, and August family trips from Canada to Mexico, West Coast to East Coast, Pacific Islands, 1960 New York World’s Fair, and Grand Canyon are just a few memorable family vacations.

Richard and Dolores purchased a motorhome and drove the trans-Canadian and Alaska Highways...twice! They traveled throughout Europe, cruised the Caribbean, Panama Canal and the Greek Islands.

In 2011 the Montford Point Marines Association reached out to Richard. He and those who were the first Americans of African descent to serve in the Marine Corps would be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for service to America, signed by President Barack Obama. He made the trip to Washington, D.C. in 2012 to receive the award. He attended annual MPMA conferences until 2019.

The last two years he lived with health challenges and age-related decline. After spending a month in hospice care, he made a peaceful transition surrounded by his family on August 17, 2024; three weeks short of his 99th birthday. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 78 years, Dolores; his daughters Jacquelyn Davis, Marilyn Davis, and Saundra Davis-Polk; Grandson, Alexander Polk; favorite cousin Henrietta Shelby, our families, many friends and neighbors. Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful

“A Letter from Heaven”

When tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not there to see; if the sun should rise and find your eyes, filled with tears for me.

I wish so much you wouldn’t cry, the way you did today, while thinking of the many things we didn’t get to say.

I know how much you love me, as much as I love you, and each time you think of me I know you’ll miss me too.

When tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart, for every time you think of me, I’m right here, in your heart. ~Anonymous