Michael Davis

Michael ÒMikeÓ A. Davis, was born in Los Angeles, Calif. on July 19, 1945, and passed away at his home in Victorville on Oct. 12, 2005. Mike moved to Victorville with his family when he was just two years old. Mike graduated from Victor Valley Senior High School and joined the Army, serving in Thailand for two years during the Vietnam conflict. When he returned from the Army he attended Victor Valley College and graduated with his Associates Degree. He began a career at the college and served in several capacities for the next 29 years. He retired in June 2004. Mike was a board member for the Victor Elementary School District from 1977 through 1988. He was then elected to the Victor Valley High School District in 1988, remaining with them until his death. In his first bid for election in 1974, at age 29, he lost by one vote and hadnÕt lost an election since. He dedicated his life to education and students, with an emphasis on student athletes. Mike lived and breathed education and spent many, many hours focusing on making things better for teachers, classified staff and students. He enjoyed the role of mentor to his sister Karen, after her election to the Victor Elementary School District in 2001. One of MikeÕs greatest pleasures was being involved in the lives of his niece and nephews. He was always so proud of them and their accomplishments. He was more than just an uncle. He never missed a game they were involved in or an event they participated in. Even when his nephew, Ronnie, played football with the cross-town rival, Apple Valley, he was on the Apple Valley side rooting for his nephew with all his heart. He so enjoyed his nephew, ScottÕs, college baseball team where the whole team called him ÒUMÓ for Uncle Mike. When his niece, Laura, adopted two children from Vietnam and then in the same year gave birth to their youngest daughter, he couldnÕt get enough of them. He was always dropping by to read them a story or bring them a surprise. He was so interested in all of the aspects of their upbringing, especially their education. Mike will be mostly missed by his mother whom he was devoted to since her stroke in August 1998. Mike insisted on her getting the best care and made sure she was comfortable and had all her needs met. He visited her almost daily at the Apple Valley Christian Care Center and became very familiar with staff, even becoming a member of the Board of Directors. The staff of caregivers had tremendous respect for a man so dedicated to his mother, and he was so appreciative of the caregivers who treat her so well. Mike was preceded in death by his father, Marvin ÒBennieÓ Davis. He will be deeply missed by his mother, Kathryn ÒKayÓ Davis; sister, Karen Morgan, brother-in-law, Steve Macaluso of Victorville; niece, Laura Patterson and husband, Chip, of Mercersburg Pa.; nephews, Scott Morgan of Costa Mesa and Ron Morgan and wife, Kelly, of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; great-nieces, Mia and Katie Patterson of Mercersburg, Pa.; and great-nephews, Dean Patterson of Mercersburg, Pa., and Marshall and Kaden Morgan of Murfreesboro, Tenn. He will be missed by his aunt, Zula Mae Pebley, and had many cousins in the Victorville area, many of whom are dedicated to public service as well. For those wishing to contribute toward a scholarship being set up in his name, you may do so by sending correspondence to: Karen Morgan, P.O. Box 2410, Victorville, CA 92393, or call (760) 245-2044.Services will be held at 1 p.m. today at Victor Valley Mortuary on 11th Street in Victorville, with Pastor Ken Kiner officiating. Please join the family for a celebration of his life from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Victorville Activities Center on Hesperia Road (across from Center Street Park). Food and refreshments will be provided.