Clarence Davis, Jr.

 Clarence moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1947
 Married the former Ruby L. Parish in 1951 with whom six children were born, Lonald, Val, Donna, Anita,        Eric and Robyn. They were married for over 45 years.

He was a Union man all the way. He began as a Cheif Shop Steward, after retiring he advanced to the district asa Union Rep, and later became President of the Local District 54 and remained in that position until his retirement. He relocated to Henderson, Nevada, where lived until his death

When he wasn't focusing on the union he was focusing on his family. His favorite past time was gardening. He also enjoyed spening time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.


Born: Aug 07, 1930 in Lake Village, Arkansas

Died: Aug 14, 2009 in Henderson, Neveda

About: Honorary Discharge Marines USMC 1953 International Association of Machinist and Areospace Workers District Lodge 54 (IAM) Favorite Past Time: Gardening

Obituary

CLARENCE DAVIS, JR. passed on August 14, 2009. Father of Lonald, Val, Donna, Anita, Eric, and Robyn. Grandfather of ten. Great-grandfather of seven. He also leaves to cherish his memory Ruby L. Davis and a host of relatives and friends. Services Saturday, August 22, at THE E.F. BOYD & SON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 25900 EMERY ROAD at 11:00 a.m. WAKE 10:00 A.M.
Clarence Davis Jr. was president of machinists union local By Doug Kramer August 21, 2009, 9:14PM

Clarence Davis Jr.

1930-2009

Survivors: children, Lonald H. of Cleveland, Val T. of Cincinnati, Donna Z. Jackson of Cleveland, Anita Davis-Ayers of Charlotte, N.C., Eric A. of Cleveland and Ro byn L. of Cleveland; 10 grandchil dren; and seven great-grandchil dren

Funeral: 11 a.m. today at E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home, 25900 Emery Road, Warrensville Heights

Contributions: Pulmonary Fibro sis Foundation, 1332 N. Halsted St. Suite 201, Chicago, Ill. 60642, www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org

Clarence Davis Jr. was an early black labor leader.

He was president of District Lodge 54, which represents Greater Cleveland members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

Davis died Aug. 14 at age 79 in Henderson, Nev., where he'd retired about 11 years ago. He died from complications of pulmonary fibrosis.

"Clarence was a tenacious negotiator," recalled R. Thomas Buffenbarger, international president, who worked with Davis in Cleveland for six years.

"There were still people back then that were suspicious of black leadership, and he sure put that to rest," said local labor veteran Herbert "Buddy" McTaggart. "He was very well-respected. He brought a calmness to those times."

Davis' daughter, Val, said her father was firm and precise. "He said what he meant, and he meant what he said."

The father told the daughter that race never seemed to get in the way of his rise.

Davis was born in Lake Village, Ark. He came to Cleveland at 17 and soon joined Chase Brass & Copper as a machinist.

He spent two years with the Marines during the Korean War and returned to Chase afterward. He became a shop steward there and rose through the union's ranks.

Davis helped bargain and deploy pickets during a long nationwide strike against the copper industry in 1967 and 1968. As part of a settlement, Chase agreed to pay 100 percent of workers' health and welfare insurance, according to a union newsletter.

About 1978, Davis retired from Chase and became a district organizer. He rose to business agent, then served as president from 1990 to 1994.

Among other accomplishments, he negotiated retirement plans requiring minimum years of service but no minimum age. He also helped employees buy Chase's sheet division. He was an ally of William Winpisinger, who rose from District 54 to the international presidency.

He served as a state vice president of his union and of the Cleveland AFL-CIO Federation of Labor. He was also a Democratic presidential convention delegate for Bill Clinton.

Over time, he taught at Cleveland State University, advised machinist locals nationwide and spoke in Europe about Chase's employee buyout.

He lived for many years in Cleveland and Shaker Heights. He liked to fish, hunt and watch sports, especially baseball.


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