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John Marsh Davis Jr.

John Davis Obituary

John Marsh Davis Jr. Renowned architect John Marsh Davis and creator of such San Francisco Bay Area landmarks as Chateau Souverain, Joseph Phelps Winery, Rutherford Hill Winery, and numerous awe-striking homes in Marin County CA, passed away on February 22, 2009, leaving the world a more beautiful place. John filled his buildings with wit and unequalled originality. He possessed "a unique quality", making him stand out from others. Every home he built was one of a kind and irreplaceable, and all those for whom he built homes had a special relationship with him; friendships for life. Mr. Davis' work broke rules which seemed to defy gravity with its extravagance. John Marsh loved to call it "Forgotten Modern". We won't forget because this architecture will live on in the works of John Marsh Davis, Frank Lloyd Wright, Bruce Goff and Herbe Greene. He was born in Oklahoma on October 12, 1931, and attended the University of Oklahoma. He graduated in 1955, and after spending four years traveling the world as a Naval Officer, he settled in Sausalito in 1961. In his later years, his unparalleled love for landscape architecture became his focus. He worked all day gardens, creating unimaginable landscapes that enhanced what nature had already created. By his side were his faithful Golden Retrievers. John is survived by his sister Barbara Davis Moore; his niece Kathryn Davis Song of Mill Valley, CA, and his nephew, Richard W. Moore III; as well as many other beloved friends, cousins and relatives. The family requests that any donations made go to Guide Dogs for the Blind and the Marin Humane Society in John Marsh Davis' name.

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

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Mar. 1, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
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6 Entries

Adolph Mueller

March 31, 2009

I first met John in 1963 in his miniscule home/office perched on a Sausalito hillside. Over the next 12 years John designed five projects of which 3 were built for me.
Throughout the process of collaboration between architect and client, we often engaged in spirited debate. John was a brilliant architect with original ideas, but he was never dogmatic. Somehow we were always able to incorporate our ideas in each project amicably.
When budget constraints forced design compromises, John always favored reducing the size of the kitchen or a bedroom, while I preferred simplifying design details. When John designed large, beautiful exterior glass doors that leaked, he drew the line saying, “all of his doors leaked during a storm and I would have to live with it”. One solution he recommended was to design sails with cleats to be affixed covering the doors before each storm. Although this sounds ridiculous, it actually worked and we were both pleased with the results!
I’ve never known anyone possessing such talent who was at the same time such an unassuming, nice person.
I regret very much that I did not maintain my friendship with John after moving away from the Bay area in 1979.
Through friends and acquaintances, some of who became clients of John’s, I was able to keep up with his work over the years.
There can be no doubt that his work speaks for itself and his reputation will endure.

Adolph Mueller, 84 Savanna Point Road, Kiawah Island, SC 29455

John McAndrews

March 10, 2009

J.M.,
Thank you for allowing the world to see and appreciate the structures of beauty and strength you invisioned in your brilliant mind.
RIP.

Freda Anderson

March 5, 2009

You always had a smile on your face, which brightened those cold Southwest Oklahoma days. The world is a little dimmer now. My deepest sympathies to your family. Freda M. (Bradshaw) Anderson

Jane Lapriore

March 1, 2009

Thank you, John Marsh, for such great memories. Your passion for beauty, art, cooking and political debate made a lasting impact on my life. May you rest in peace.
With love, Jane

Barry Peterson

February 28, 2009

Thank you John, for all the exquititly beautiful places you have created and left for us all to enjoy life in and to learn from...

Robert Dailey

February 28, 2009

Our thoughts are with your family. John Marsh and his talent will be missed. With Deepest Sympathy and Love, The Dailey's

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