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BORN
1943
DIED
2020
Ronald Davis Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Davis
Vida Liu, Student
October 7, 2021
It´s been exactly a year since Ronn was brutally taken away from us. We miss him so much...
Ronn had created a safe and warm domain for me and all my friends in the SMC Mentor Program. He wanted us to love, support, and protect each other, while navigating this cold, hard world together as fellow artists. He savored every moment he could to enrich us with his abundant knowledge of the art world. With an endless fount of wisdom and patience, Ronn was the paragon of what a beloved mentor should be.
I still remember how Ronn encouraged all of us to slow down, to take a moment from our busy life and enjoy the process of making art. Ronn knew that it was difficult to survive as an artist, so he always supported me and countless other students he encountered. He exemplified what it meant to love, to help, and to bond with one another. Ronn has devoted his entire life to the art world and to his students.
With Ronn´s sudden departure, the art world has lost an irreplaceable artist and extraordinary educator. We have lost an academic father and a sweet family friend. Ronn genuinely cared for all of us. My husband and I are in deep sorrow. We are forever indebted to Ronn´s unconditional kindness. Although Ronn is not physically here with us, but his legacy will live on forever in
all of us.
"Thank you so much, Ronn. We know that our Heavenly Father will take good care of you, and that we will be re-united with you someday. Goodbye for now..."
Vida Liu, Student
July 20, 2021
It has taken me this long to share my memories of Ronn because it has been so painful for my husband and me to talk about losing him. We still can´t believe how suddenly he vanished from our lives! The art world has lost an irreplaceable artist and I have lost a dear mentor...
Many years ago, when I was thinking about changing careers from a banker to an artist, Ronn helped me make up my mind and guided me through making the right decision for myself. By having faith in me, Ronn encouraged me to believe in myself. For many years, he had never missed any of my major art shows. Besides being a selfless mentor, Ronn was also a dear friend to me, my husband, and my family. Ronn would also tell me and my husband that he was praying for us and that "the Big Guy up there is watching over us!"
Though it is hard to say goodbye to someone whom we loved and respected so much, we hope that Ronn is now enjoying some exciting art discourses with Michelangelo and da Vinci up there in the eternal home of our almighty God. Until we reunite one day in Heaven, we will miss Ronn so very much.
Ichiro Irie
October 25, 2020
I met Ronn Davis in the fall of 1998 when I stumbled into his painting class at Santa Monica College. My story is not dissimilar to many of his students. Ronn was there at the right moment at the right time, and redirected my course in life dramatically for, I believe, the better. In fact, much better. I was fortunate enough to be able to speak to him one last time this past June and remind him of his significance not only to me but to countless others. Here he is pictured with me and another one of his former SMC pupils, Shiri Mordechay, during her solo exhibition opening at Honor Fraser gallery. Ronn, you will be dearly missed. May your soul rest in peace.
Phung
October 25, 2020
As your student, I hope to keep the courage to make some noise out there. My apologies for not visiting earlier as promised. But more than anything, thank you, Ronn - I will make sure to pay it forward.
Jennifer Merlic
October 24, 2020
Ronn changed the lives of thousands of SMC students and was a beloved colleague to me and to so many others at the college. Rest in peace, Ronn.
Matthew
October 22, 2020
Ron was my mentor at SMC and he was one of the best thing to have ever happen to me. He is everything I have wanted to be as a teacher and an artist. I made his life hell and he never tried to stop me.
Thank you Ron I love you
Matthew Sheehan
Alex Cortes
October 22, 2020
I keep thinking on Ron’s passing and how incredibly lucky I was to have met him. I will never forget a little piece of paper, handed to me by a Santa Monica College counselor, with Ron’s name written on it. He told me: “Here is the name of a teacher you must meet “ Wow! Boy, was he right!
Always there to listen to you, shake your creative thinking, as well as leaving you with way more questions than answers. And at the same time, bombarding you with such substantial hopes in the art world, as well as in your own personal process, that you felt encouraged, and challenged to keep working hard to be a successful artist. I’m truly grateful for everything he taught me.
I will never forget his “Hey kiddo! ... are you still making art?“
RIP Beloved Ronn!
Luis G. Garcia
October 22, 2020
Ronn,
We had a love for cars that connected us when I first entered your classroom at SMC. You were a supportive pillar for me and many other students, creatively and as a mentor. I am grateful to have shared with you how important your support has been for me. Thank you for always making yourself available and for staying in touch with me all these years. You showed me that you were invested in our longterm outcome and for that I will always be grateful and will honor you by paying it forward.
Rest easy profe.
David & Hajrija
October 21, 2020
To our neighbor Ronn,
You were our first friend in Topanga. Always there with a warm greeting and welcoming smile. We will miss you!
Ben Vivas
October 21, 2020
Thanks Ron for being my teacher. And for helping me prepare and get to ArtCenter. I wanted to go and say Hi when the coronavirus was over, but I guess this message is all I can offer for now. I hope you rest peacefully and may Christ keep you in his Kingdom.
Aaron Casillas
October 21, 2020
Ronn, “check in” often. You were not only an art teacher, you were a teacher of artists. My creative mentor and guide, you will be missed for now.
Andy Snavley
October 21, 2020
Ronn, you were one of a kind. I will miss your voice and insights, your art and humor. My greatest honor was that you considered me a colleague. Thank you for being my friend all these years.
Andy Snavley
October 21, 2020
Ronn, you were one of a kind. I will miss your voice and insights, your art and humor. My greatest honor was that you considered me a colleague. Thank you for being my friend all these years.
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