Arthur Davis

Arthur Joseph "Art" Davis, a deeply beloved husband , father, gifted pianist, dedicated teacher and friend to many , passed away on March 27, 2025, in Durham, North Carolina. He was 70 years old.

Art was born on May 12, 1954, in Los Angeles, California, the son of Delmas and Sarah Davis. As a young child, Art was fascinated by watching and listening to his mother play many classical piano pieces ,entertaining family and friends . He saw the care, patience , enthusiasm and joy his mother had while teaching private lessons in their home. His mother's talent and pure love for playing music had such an impact on Art that he began formally learning to play the piano at the young age of five.

When Art was nine years old, his family moved to Berkeley, California and he attended the School of the Madeline and then went on to graduate from St. Mary's High School. At Saint Mary's High School Art was mentored by the well respected music teacher Mr. Barrett ,and he became a part of the St Mary's High School Jazz Band.

Art continued his pursuit of music at the University of California, Berkely where he played in the UC Berkeley Marching Band and graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Soon after Art earned his California Single- Subject Teacher's Credential in Music, from California State University Hayward.

Art devoted nearly five decades to music education in public schools, serving as a piano instructor , choir and band director at James Logan High School in Union City CA, Mission High School in San Francisco CA, Chico Country Day School in Chico, CA , and Durham School of the Arts in Durham NC. His extraordinary ability to inspire creativity left an indelible mark on countless students. An accomplished pianist himself, he played in multiple jazz, blues and big bands throughout his life and played on countless pianos when given the opportunity! Art had a rare ability to ignite creativity in others and his legacy lives on through the many students he mentored and all who were touched by his music.

In 1991, Art married Mary, the love of his life, with whom he raised two children in the Bay Area and together they built a home filled with warmth , music and laughter . In 2013, the family relocated to Durham, North Carolina, where Art landed his dream job teaching piano at Durham School of the Arts and he continued sharing his musical talents with students and the community.

If you know Art, you know his fun-loving nature , and his unrelenting optimism. A huge fan of college and professional sports, specifically basketball and football, one often heard him cheering loudly for the Golden State Warriors, Las Vegas ( Oakland ) Raiders, and the California Bears ! He loved traveling and camping and spending special time and countless hours of laughter with family and friends.

Art was preceded in death by his parents Delmas and Sarah Davis and his brother Delmas W Davis. Art is survived by his loving wife Mary Davis ,his two incredible children Katherine and Isaac and his " little" sister Frances Wilson who all adored him and will carry forward Art's love of music and life.

He is also survived by his sister in laws Katherine Crank and Elizabeth Colwell, brother in laws John Colwell (Denise) and Ruperd Wilson, and many many cousins, nieces, nephews grandnieces, grandnephews and So So many cherished friends he cultivated over the years.

Arthur Joseph "Art" Davis will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to music education and will especially be remembered for the warmth and joy and positive vibes he brought to all !

He will be missed more than words can express.