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Leonard M. "Duke" Davis

Leonard M. "Duke" Davis obituary

Leonard Davis Obituary

Leonard M.
"Duke" Davis
2014


Local Historian Leonard M. "Duke" Davis, a native and life-long resident of Roseville, Calif., passed away on October 10, 2014 at the age of 88.
During his lifetime, he saw Roseville evolve from a small railroad town of less than 7,000 residents to one of the largest and most important cities in Northern California with a population of well over 100,000.
Duke, as he was known from boyhood, to family and friends, was born at home as were most Roseville children of his era. He was the second of three sons born to Charles W. and Anita M. (Shepard) Davis. An older brother, Charles Eugene, died in 1924 aged 16 months. A younger brother, Vernon C. passed away in 2003. He was 75.
Duke attended the old Vernon Street and Atlantic Street schools before enrolling at Roseville High School where he graduated in 1944. Like many of his classmates, he served in the armed forces during World War II. He participated in the Okinawa campaign, the last major battle of that global conflict.
Returning to civilian life in September 1946, Duke resumed his war interrupted education. He, like many other local veterans, enrolled at nearby Placer (now Sierra) College. While attending Placer, he worked as a playground supervisor for the recently organized Roseville Recreation Department. It was during this time that he found he liked working with youth and upon transferring to Sacramento State College in 1949 switched his major from Journalism to History and Education, a decision he never regretted.
Duke graduated from Sac State in 1951. The following year he received a general secondary teaching credential and Master of Arts degree from that same institution. He would later earn a pupil personnel counseling credential from San Diego State College.
Duke began a 41 year teaching career with the Grant Union High School District in the 1952-53 school year. In 1971, he transferred to the Los Rios Community College District where he spent the next 21 years teaching U.S. and California history at Cosumnes and American River Colleges. He retired from American River in June, 1993. During his 41 year teaching career, he only missed one day of work due to illness.
Duke's overseas experience during World War II spurred a life-long interest in other places and other cultures, and he spent many summer vacations travelling through Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin-America. These overseas ventures augmented by two summer-long seminars at the American University, Cairo, Egypt (1974) proved valuable assets in his teaching.
In 1964, Duke was appointed Centennial Historian for Roseville's 100th birthday. As part of that year-long celebration, he penned Roseville's first published history, "From Trail to Rail", which traced the town's history from its earliest days to incorporation in April of 1909.
This was the first of four books about Roseville written by Duke and published by the Roseville Community Projects, Inc., including "Roseville Yesterday and Today" (1975); "Profiles Out of the Past", a biographical history (1983); and "Milestones and Memories" (2002). All sales from the publications were donated to the Roseville Art Center for their cultural enrichment programs. In 2009, an updated edition of "Milestones and Memories" was published by the City of Roseville as part of its year-long celebration as an incorporated city.
In 1982, Duke served on the organizational committee of the Roseville Historical Society which officially incorporated in 1983. He served as Society Historian from that date until his death. During this period, he continued writing numerous books and booklets for the Society about Roseville and other Placer and El Dorado County communities as well as numerous articles for the Historical Society, the Roseville High School Alumni Association newsletters, the Roseville Press Tribune and various other area newspapers and magazines.
Duke was also active in the R.O.S.E. (Reaching Out Sharing Experiences), a collaborative undertaking between Roseville High School students and the senior community as well as the Dry Creek Conservancy (D.C.C.), an environmentalist organization dedicated to protecting, preserving and restoring the 101 square mile Dry Creek Watershed extending from Newcastle all the way to the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers at the capital city's Discovery Park. Because of his efforts to preserve and enhance the history and continued development of his community, a City park was named for Duke in November, 2004.
He is survived by his sister-in-law Kathryn F. Davis of Lake of the Pines, Calif., and his long-time friend Eleanor Owens of Roseville, Calif.
At his request, no funeral or memorial service will be held. Donations in memory of Duke Davis may be made to the Roseville Historical Society at www.rosevillehistorical.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Gold Country Media Newspapers on Oct. 17, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Leonard Davis

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Maria Dominguez

November 12, 2014

"Uncle Duke" Thank for being my father's best friend. You always came and visited with us at least once a week when we were kids and always had an envelope or present for us every Christmas. You were a wonderful man and like an uncle to us. We will miss you so much, but I believe you are in heaven with all your family and friends. You certianly earned your wings here on earth. I will and my family too always miss you. Bless you dear friend...Maria Dominguez

Dara Dungworth

November 5, 2014

I had the privilege and honor of becoming acquainted with Mr. Davis through Dry Creek Conservancy. My children and I will enjoy the park in our neighborhood named in his honor for many years to come and remember him fondly. Mr. Davis' contributions to Roseville and the surrounding communities will stand unmatched.

October 25, 2014

It is fortunate for all of us that Duke had the artistic interest, talent, and passion to memorialize Roseville's coming of age through his writings. What he taught me has been very helpful in laying the foundation for the book I am writing about Roseville's political history during the years from 1983 to 2005 - a time when change brought maturity to our community. I am very grateful, Duke. Thank you for everything! Bill Boudier

Libbie Martin

October 24, 2014

I learned how to be a great historian from Duke. My biggest regret is leaving Roseville without collaborating with him on a history. The world will be a much emptier and lest storied place without him.

Shona (Dains) John

October 23, 2014

Duke was the most amazing and intelligent men that I had ever met. Im so glad that we got to celebrate your birthday this past June together. Duke was a very dear lifelong friend to my parents..Hank and Bessi Dains. I know Duke you are up in heaven with my dad planning your next venture together. Roseville has lost a great man. You will truly be missed but never forgotten. Thanks for so many memories and all of the books you have given to me. I will treasure them always. Rest in peace my friend.

October 21, 2014

I'm deeply sorry for the loss of your loved one.May loving words comfort your family at this time of sorrow. (Isaiah 57:15)

Gail Owens-Cannon

October 21, 2014

I always referred to Duke as my "step-dad person." We appreciate the companionship, kindness, humor and compassion that he provided for my mom and our entire family over these past several decades. We will miss him so much. I will even miss his frequent jokes about living in Texas!
Love you, Duke.
Gail

Gail Cannon

October 21, 2014

We could have spent hours with Duke talking about the local history and the various significant events over the past 150 years that happened in and around Roseville. The sparkle in his eyes when he shared his thoughts and excitement of the history in his own neck of the woods will live in our hearts forever. Sleep on our friend. We had you for almost 80 years; HE has you for eternity. Gail Cannon and Bill Justice

Kelley Kubitz

October 20, 2014

I was Leonard's letter carrier for 6 years a few years ago and he was such a kind gentleman and even gave me a signed copy of his latest book of which I will always cherish! My condolences to the family.

October 20, 2014

I have known "duke" since I was about 4 or 5years old. He was a very good and close friend of my older brother. He always called me by my nick name that my brothers friends always called me. He was kind, and a wonderful man. He will be missed. Love you Duke

October 20, 2014

Duke was such a nice man...a true gentleman...and very intelligent and always so knowledgeable on our local history. I knew him primarily from attending the Roseville High Alumni Association meetings in the early years and later worked with him on Roseville High School's R.O.S.E. Committee. I feel very fortunate to have known him and will treasure the special memories of the visits and conversations with him during the last few years.

Sincerely, Judy Pugliese Aguilar, Rocklin, California

Sadie

October 19, 2014

Duke was a wonderful person and a good friend RIP.

McGrew

October 17, 2014

My condolences to the family.

Raymond & Cynthia Greth

October 17, 2014

Until we meet again Uncle Duke. You will always be in our hearts and we love you dearly.

Clarke Owens

October 17, 2014

Duke was an intelligent, cheerful, and generous friend to my family for many years and will be greatly missed. RIP, friend.

Laura Kneppel

October 17, 2014

I had the honor of doing some illustrations for several of Mr. Davis' publications back in the 1970's. I really enjoyed reading them as I worked and he was such a nice man who really wanted to make sure the history of this area wasn't forgotten.

Norma (Shook) Ellis

October 16, 2014

Mr. Davis was one of my favorite teachers at Del Paso Jr. High. He used to tease me sometimes and I think he worried that my feelings were hurt, so he told me one day that if he didn't like me he wouldn't tease me. He was such a big man that if the boys acted up in class, he would pick their chair up (with them in it) and carry them out to the hallway to let them think about it for awhile. He was a great teacher.

Kathie Newell Gutierrez

October 16, 2014

He was my very favorite teacher at Del Paso Jr. High School, Grant Union High School, and again, many years later, at American River College. The first to spark my interest in history, I'm now a genealogist and family historian. I also have almost all the books and pamphlets he wrote. I know he'll be missed by many, and I will never forget him. May he rest in peace.

Hoyt Fong

October 16, 2014

Duke, You will be missed greatly. We still remember your passion at CRC. I also enjoyed seeing you at Clarke and Mary Dominguez's home on a regular basis. You are in heaven with the angels.

Krystel G

October 15, 2014

My condolences for your loss may God bring you peace during this hard time.
Numbers 6:26

Terry Kociemba

October 15, 2014

Your spirit is free to travel throughout history and beyond.

Christina Richter

October 15, 2014

We have lost a great treasure. I remember meeting Duke for the first time and feeling that I was in the presence of one of the greatest keepers of history that I had ever met. We at the Roseville Historical Society have missed him so very much, both professionally and personally. Thank you Duke, for all you did for Roseville and for keeping our history alive. We are eternally grateful.

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