Donald Lee Davis

Don was born 17 April 1931 in Vallejo, California, and died 4 October 2006 in Midwest City, Oklahoma. There was a lot of living between those two dates. Since this is Mother's blog I am including his death though long overdue to add here. He and Beverly took Rose and me in when Mother died in 1962 and we were a part of their family including receiving inheritances. Family dinners in the rumpus room are memorable and he enjoyed helping Beverly cook. They moved from Vallejo to Bainbridge Island, Washington, and then to Oklahoma.

Richard Edward Davis

Richard died 10 July 2019. I didn't think to update this blog. He was Mother's second child and son, tall, dark and handsome. He served in the Korean War. He was a husband and father. He lived a very full life. Richard Edward Davis June 17, 1933 ~ July 10, 2019 (age 86) Obituary & ServicesTribute Wall Obituary 1933—2019 Richard Edward Davis passed away peacefully at the age of 86 he is survived by his children Kim and Marty Meckler, Terri and Jeff Solomon, LeeAnn and Dave Small, Kellie and Ron Showers, Matt Souza, Leanne Chilton, James Chilton, he was blessed with 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, he also leaves behind three sisters Joy Cassady, Rose Greene, Olivetta Chavez. He was born in Vallejo Ca., he served in the U.S. Navy and is a Korean War Vet, he was a contractor for many years beginning with Sonoma drywall, DP painting, Cal Tec Environmental. (I corrected Cassady name. Punctuation is lacking here.) Richard will truly be missed by many friends and family, his celebration of life will be on Saturday, August 3 at 11 AM at Tulocay Cemetery in lieu of flowers please make a donation to the salvation Army in his name.

Joyce Lenore Davis Cassady

Joy died in her Fremont home the morning of August 25, 2020, at age 82. I'm very glad to have participated in the celebration of life September 12 at the funeral chapel under strict COVID-19 restrictions. Then we met at the house for refreshments and visiting. It was a wonderful day together and the Cassady family did their mother and grandmother proud.

Ninth (not too) Annual Family Picnic

Seventh and Eighth pictures don't exist as no one has come since the last, great Sixth until this year and the pictures of Richard are at his home. The picnic was held on his 84th birthday at Holbrook and we visited him the next day on Father's Day. Present were Joy, Paul, his friend James, and me for a picnic, Scrabble game and some rallying with the volleyball. I set up about 10 a.m. June 17, 2017, and we called it a day at 4:40 p.m. It was 95* in Concord and being under the giant shade tree was marvelous. Post Script: Richard died 10 July 2019. Paul and I were able to attend services and reception at the funeral chapel near his home, then go to the home for visiting. It was a lovely service and I spoke along with his daughters and others.

Phillip's California Memorial Service May 30

Everett, Michael, Patrick left to right

Erin, Chad, Patrick, Joyce

Olie, Judy, Richard, Margie

Chad, Patrick

Everett top left, son of Bob and Charlotte, Michael, Patrick, Bob, Charlotte, Nicole

Erin, Joy, Olie, Chad

Everett, Michael, Patrick, Nicole

Olie, Ron

Olie, Joyce

 Nicole, Everett, Olie, Joyce

Maureen on right with her three daughters. Middle is Crystal.

Patrick, Judy, Richard, Margie, Carrie

Mel, Crystal, Olie, Everett, Maureen, M, M, Nicole, Michael, Joyce, Erin, Patrick

Sixth Annual Family Picnic and Reunion June 14, 2014

Family of Doris came together to visit, eat, swim and play volleyball for several hours at Holbrook in balmy 89* weather. Twenty took the time to join us and have a fine day together.

Don's family: goose egg
Richard's family: Richard, Kellie, Ron, Terrah, Kim, Marty, Brett, Evon, Tayland, Richard S., Brittany, Mikey
Phillip's family: Phillip
Joyce's family: Joy, Erin, Chad Jr., Jack, Ava
Olivetta's family: Olie, Adam
Rose's family: goose egg

Phil is moving to Oklahoma to live with his daughter's family as he missed his granddaughters and it is great that he took the time to come say goodbye.

Highlights of the food are the home-grown turkey from Marty, Kim's green salad, Ron's gigantic and delicious potato salad, my vegetable dish Ron loves, my tree apricots, and a huge coconut sheet cake made by April for the occasion. I love sitting in a circle on the grass in our lawn chairs and visiting. Thank you to all who chose to come and celebrate family together. All who wanted went home with a grab-bag prize.

She raised six children in Vallejo, she died in Vallejo

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=43215482

I found this unexpectedly. The last time I visited a few years ago I just sat and cried. It's right across from the Vallejo Auto Movies where we all went as a family when I was growing up.

Fifth Annual Summer Picnic and Reunion June 15, 2013

Three out of six of Mother's children were present for this year's picnic and reunion: Richard's, Joyce's and Olivetta's, even though there are more families in the Bay Area. Richard's 80th birthday was two days later and a great reason to sing Happy Birthday and have chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream after pot luck. The day was mild, 80 degrees and breezy, wonderful for visiting in lawn chairs, playing volleyball, basketball and baseball at Baldwin Park in Concord. I was forced to move our usual Holbrook location due to the area still being under construction. I was there by 9:20 to set up after going early in the morning to stake our claim for a table and area near the dog run. I tidied up and had all my games and balls ready for play. I gathered nice prizes all year and before anyone needed to leave all were invited to choose a gift and receive a Giants cup. By 4:03 I was driving home with all the tables and games. My sons and daughter-in-law came this year and Paul surprised me by showing up Friday morning at the house. There were 21 family members and three friends this year. It's my pleasure to host this annual reunion to get to know one another better and celebrate our Mother's family.

Composite images designed by Christine Poyner

Fourth Annual Family Picnic June 9, 2012

Twenty family members made it to the picnic held at Holbrook Pool on a nice 83* slightly breezy spring day. Patrick and Nicole arrived by 2:30 after his work and missed being in the group picture. For the first time it was mild enough to set up the volleyball net and there were some rousing games and lots of hooplah and fun. Magnetic darts, table pool, beanbag toss, bowling, drop clothespins in the can, golf, sidewalk chalking and swimming were popular with prizes for all during the drawings including Giants cups. Potluck was varied and delicious with lots of visiting and playing at the playground to enjoy. Chad's family made it even after getting in late the night before from their vacation. A special thank you to all who were able to come this year and you're invited next year as well.

Olie C.
Ron S.
Terrah S.
Richard D.
Marty M.
Kim M.
Brett W.
Marshae W.
Evon M.
Tay J.
Joy C.
Chad C.
Erin C.
Chad Jr.
Jack C.
Ava C.
Richard S.
Chaz B.
Patrick D.
Nicole D.

Third Annual Family Reunion June 11, 2011

I am very pleased with our picnic Saturday. Here is the list of attendees:
Olie Chavez
Richard Davis
Kellie Davis Showers
Joy Cassady
Erin Cassady
Chad Cassady Jr.
Jack Cassady
Ava Cassady
Lee Ann Davis Small
David Small
Elizabeth Small
Eva Davis
Nicole Davis
Kim Davis Meckler
Marty Meckler
Evon Meckler
Tayland Jolly
Richard and Kellie arrived first and I had a chance to talk to my brother about our mother Doris and The Chick Box, The Blue Room and the houses she lived in. He still drives by The Chick Box which has remained vacant many years and is still standing amazingly as well as Renida Street. Mother had an apartment adjacent to The Blue Room where she could open a window and look inside. Rose and I were babies when Mother got out of the bar and grill business. She had a large cast iron skillet pot with lid her husband Lee Davis had made on Mare Island. She'd put the leftovers from dinner in, add some vegetables and make a soup. She bought the house at 415 Woodrow Avenue where I was born, assisted by my father and brother Don. There were chickens, ducks, rabbits and a garden. She bought the York Street house and lived there about a year but lost it. If this is the proper sequence I was unaware that I lived there. She bought the house at 135 Renida Street for $5,000. When she died the house was sold to Lee and Richard moved in, jacked it up, poured a foundation, sheetrocked the interior and fixed it up. About this time more family began arriving at the picnic and soon it was time to welcome everyone, sing Happy Birthday to each other and offer a blessing on the food at noon. I've been asking different families and this year Joy agreed to pray. The food was plentiful and delicious with bags of chicken, a ham Marty's family raised themselves, turkey wraps, a huge bowl of ambrosia, watermelon, yam fries, cookies, chips, popcorn, cinnamon streudel cupcakes, juice boxes, etc., etc. Weather being only 72* the hottest part of the day with a brisk wind only the young ones and Eva braved the waters, playing and jumping off the diving board. At the first water break at 12:45 we had the prize drawings and everyone chose when their number was drawn by Jack. Bean toss was encouraged for more smaller prizes. Mini pool was played on the card table by Tayland, Evon and Elizabeth, various ball games and Marty was pressed into service to put Chad's winning prize together, a kite, and Joy and Chad tried in earnest to get it aloft. The playground was enjoyed and Ava got in the baby pool with the help of Erin. Lots of visiting was done by the adults in a circle of lawn chairs in the sun. By the next water break at 1:45 it was time for the family picture. Luckily Lee Ann brought her digital camera and did a fine job of capturing special moments and asking someone to take our picture. I was there exactly six hours setting up and being ready for the start at 11 a.m. and all was packed up by 3:10. With the help of the Mecklers and Smalls all the gear was brought to my side yard up the street from the pool and they got a tour of my house for the first time. A big thank you to all the family members who were able to join us this year as we get to know each other better, reminisce, and the cousins have fun playing together.

Death Claims Mrs. Conklin

Click image to enlarge.

Rose and I were living with Don and Bev and their two daughters, Linda and Gail, at 515 Bonita Court. Don came into our bedroom (which was really Linda and Gail's) and in the darkened room he wept as he told us our mother had died. I scrambled out of bed to meet his opened arms and embrace. I cannot think of this without crying. I have no idea whether she died alone which haunts me if I let myself go there. With six children it's very sad if she was alone. Some time later Don instructed his wife to start looking for a bigger house. Our 135 Renida Street home was sold to Don's father. Our '55 Chevy was sold. Our sleeper trailer Mother bought for our 1960 48-state trip was sold to a family at the bottom of our hill on Warren Avenue. I lived with Don and Bev's family until I graduated from high school and got a job in San Francisco at Continental Insurance Company in the financial district. I moved to 280 10th Avenue and shared a furnished two-bedroom apartment with childhood friends Solita, Sandy and Pam at age 17 and they threw a surprise birthday party for me for my 18th. It had been very difficult living with Don's family and I can only imagine how hard it was on all of them to take in two teenagers used to a free-spirited, adventurous mother.

Golden Jubilee Anniversary of 48-State Trip

Fifty years ago today my mother, younger sister and I left for a summer road trip that would take us to every contiguous state, Mexico and Canada. Happy Anniversary to Rose and me.

Mother Would Have Been 100 Years Old Today

Doris was born 100 years ago today in Puyallup, Washington, and today the family numbers 114 including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. To honor her memory I organized a Centennial Reunion yesterday in Concord, California, where her five children came and many family members totaling 39 of her posterity, plus a relative and a friend. The Miranda family performed wonderful Hawaiian entertainment in her honor as well as Paul doing the hakka, with Jocelyn the clown snapping pictures for an hour after a triathlon of swimming, hopping and running. Winners were Chad, Terrah and Elizabeth. Jack placed 4th doing hopping and running. Congratulations! Delicious pot luck was enjoyed, swimming, baseball, horseshoes, bean toss, visiting, charades, and prizes. Thanks to all who made it such a special occasion. Happy Birthday Mother.

My post on ourfamily2010:

Happy Birthday Mother, born 100 years ago today. Because of this Web site, Facebook, and e-mail we located the 114 family members of Doris and organized the Centennial Reunion, held yesterday at Holbrook Heights Community Park. The temperature was 92* and very windy. It was well attended by her five living children and many family members including all of the family members of her youngest two children. Thirty-nine of her descendants were in attendance. Her oldest son Donald and his wife Beverly are deceased. Phil's wife Beverly is deceased, Joy's husband Ed, as well as Olie's husband Michael. Family gathered in the reserved grove under a giant mulberry tree. Chad, Terrah and Elizabeth won the triathlon of swimming, hopping and running; Jack did the hopping and running portions for 4th-place winner. Jocelyn the clown snapped pictures while the Miranda family performed wonderful Hawaiian entertainment as well as Paul doing the hakka during delicious potluck. Because of the culinary expertise of April Harris, a friend at church, there was a coconut cake and on June 13 our family shared a chocolate turtle cake. There was baseball playing, bean toss, horseshoes, pinata, swimming, visiting, charades, prizes and fun. Thanks to all who made it such a special occasion. Eva and Nicole ordered the beautiful triathlon medals with inscriptions; Jade made phone calls to be sure the word got out to everyone; Patrick offered the blessing on the food after I welcomed everyone and we sang Happy Birthday to Doris. Happy Birthday to all as well. The Isers were given the grand prize of Centennial Olympics video set and games. Several girls got hula skirt sets. Rick guessed the closest number of family members and won a backbrace which already came in handy. I passed out the Oklahoma Centennial hats to those who were there in 2007 (I forgot to give them to the Genters). See you next year June 11, 2011!

2010 PICNIC R.S.V.P. LIST
1. Rose Greene - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma--received One Magical Summer
2. Jade Greene - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma--Web site creator, phoned family members, received Shirley Temple DVD
3. Olie Chavez - Concord, California--organized picnic events and supplies, sent reminders
4. Kim Woodhouse - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
5. Natalie Woodhouse - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
6. Joy Cassady - Fremont, California--received One Magical Summer
7. Daniel (Crystal's friend)
8. Chad Cassady Sr - Monterey, California
9. Rebecca Cassady - Monterey, California
10. Chad Cassady Jr - Monterey, California--1st Place, triathlon
11. Jack Cassady - Monterey, California--4th Place, triathlon (no swimming)
12. Ava Cassady - Monterey, California
13. Kimberly Davis Meckler - Jamestown, California--brought CD player
14. Marty Meckler - Jamestown, California
15. Paul Chavez - Provo, Utah-- baseball with nephews, danced hakka, handled pinata, received One Magical Summer
16. Brett Wolf - Jamestown, California--helped set up
17. Marshae Wolf - Jamestown, California--helped set up
18. Tayland Jolly - Jamestown, California
19. Kellie Showers - Napa, California
20. Ron Showers - Napa, California
21. Terrah Showers - Napa, California--2nd Place, triathlon--received hula outfit
22. Richard Davis - Napa, California--received One Magical Summer
23. Judy Genter - Fairfield, California
24. Duane Genter - Fairfield, California
25. Claire Genter - Fairfield, California
26. Grant Genter - Fairfield, California
27. Phil Davis - Castro Valley, California--received One Magical Summer
28. Patrick Davis - Pinole, California--offered blessing on food and family
29. Eva Davis - Pinole, California--ordered embossed medals for triathlon, set up for lunch
30. Nicole Davis - Pinole, California--ordered embossed medals for triathlon
31. Katheryne Iser - Stockton, California--Grand Prize winner Centennial Olympics videos, games
32. Matt Iser - Stockton, California--Grand Prize winner Centennial Olympics videos, games
33. Lizzy Iser - Stockton, California--3rd Place, triathlon
34. Monica Iser - Stockton, California--received hula outfit
35. Cassie Iser - Stockton, California--received hula outfit
36. Crystal Iser - Stockton, California
37. Marilyn Iser - Stockton, California (Matt's mother)
38. Rick Moser - Killeen, Texas--trucked picnic supplies, picked up borrowed tables, set up, guessed closest at 108 family members and won backbrace
39. Evelania Moser - Kileen, Texas--helped clean up and move picnic supplies at 2:30, received One Magical Summer
40. Adam Chavez - Provo, Utah--received One Magical Summer
41. Stephanie Chavez - Provo, Utah

One Magical Summer

http://www.publishamerica.net/product87963.html

This is the journal of Doris's last big trip written and kept by her daughter.