Joseph Davis

Davis, Joseph E
May 7, 1926 - December 30, 2012
Private graveside services took place Sunday, January 6, at Hollywood Forever Cemetery for Joseph E. Davis of Laguna Beach, who died December 30 after a courageous battle with cancer. Joe has been described by many as the kindest, most gentle man they have ever known. Born in Los Angeles, Joe grew up on an orange grove in Charter Oak owned and operated by his parents, and ultimately had a successful career as a financial executive in the grocery business. After graduating from Covina High School in 1944, Joe worked for Congressman Jerry Voorhis in Washington, D.C., until he was drafted into the Army Air Force. On the day World War II ended, Joe was sent to Texas for basic training, and in 1946 found himself working as a cryptographer in Alaska. Through the GI bill, Joe enrolled at Occidental College, where he earned a degree in economics and met his future wife, Marjorie Mier. In 1951 he received his MBA from UC Berkeley. After marrying in 1953, Joe and Marjorie settled in Fullerton, where they raised their four children. Joe was employed by the Alpha Beta grocery store chain in La Habra for 25 years, working his way up from chief accountant to vice president of finance. In 1982 he accepted an executive position with Stater Brothers, where he worked until his retirement 10 years later. An avid golfer, Joe was a member of Alta Vista Country Club in Placentia, Hacienda Golf Club in La Habra Heights, and Kapalua Golf Club in Hawaii, near the vacation home he and Marjorie purchased in 1990. In 2004 Joe and Marjorie moved to Laguna Beach, where Joe joined the Orange County Seniors Golf Association, played golf as often as he could, and read books on history. The Davises also traveled extensively, and for years took annual trips to visit friends in England and France. Joe was a generous contributor to many charitable organizations. In addition to Marjorie, Joe is survived by children Theresa Lensander of Carpinteria, Sally Davis Boersig of Cool, Vickie Wade of Mission Viejo, Joseph Davis of Albuquerque, NM, and eight granchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in support of Dr. Ignatius Ou's cancer research at UC Irvine. Checks may be made out to UCI Foundation (please note Dr. Ou's name on the check) and sent to UCI Foundation, Attn: Jacqueline Orozco or Deborah Lebot Woodman, 101 City Drive South, Building 56, Room 212, Orange, CA 92868.