Neil E. Davis

1932 - 2024

Neil E. Davis
10/19/1932 - 09/19/2024
It is with the greatest sorrow that we share the loss of our beloved father, father-in-law, and grandfather Neil Edward Davis on September 19, 2024. Throughout his long and extraordinary life, he was a devoted son, father, and grandfather. He was also an artist, an original thinker, a prominent businessman, a respected civic leader, a builder, a humble farmer, and a dedicated volunteer. He was known by many names - dad, poppa, pops, "no name neil," and Mr. Davis are just a few. Of all his many titles, "grandpa" was his favorite.
Born in Anderson, Indiana on October 19, 1932, Neil was the only child of Margaret Julius Davis and Hubert Lemont Davis, who was a budding cartoonist. Despite the tragic loss of his father when he was a baby and the later loss of his stepfather, his mother raised him through the hardships of life and the Depression with great love, courage, and grace. Like his dad, Neil was a gifted artist and studied applied arts in college. It was there that he met his future wife, who was a young newspaper columnist, writer, and poet. After college, he went on to serve in the US Air Force as an ROTC graduate on Middleton Island, Alaska and on Mt. Tamalpais in Mill Valley, California, where he happily became the father of four children.
From 1959-1974, Neil was the owner of the "no name bar" in Sausalito, in partnership with his father and mother–in-law. With his artistic and community spirit, the bar with no name (as he liked to call it in his customary lower case style) became renowned as an important gathering place for local residents and notable individuals alike, including artists, poets, writers, thinkers, actors, musicians, journalists, political figures, and more. Colorful sailors like Spike Africa, writers such as Evan Connell, and actors such as Sterling Hayden were just a few of the treasured patrons. Once fondly referred to as "Sausalito's living room," the no name was also a hub of political action, press conferences, and fundraisers for charities, children's hospitals, and orphans.
Along with these endeavors, Neil was very involved in local politics, worked to preserve the beauty of Sausalito, and helped lead the fight to save the Marin Headlands from the Marincello development. In recognition of his efforts, the venerated San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen once proclaimed, "Without Neil Davis, there would be no Sausalito." Along with his public life, his most important experiences during these years were spending time with his children and building a unique and magical home for them in Mill Valley inspired in part by the Russian Orthodox church at Fort Ross. He also loved to anchor off Sausalito on his delightful old boat the "Bagpipe," traveled through Europe, and proudly became a life-long vegetarian.
After moving on from the no name, Neil settled down on his cherished farm in Sebastopol for the next 50 years. There he practiced country real estate, bought a small health food store, and established what was to become a thriving health center for women in Sebastopol known as "The Spa." During these years, he also spent happy times in Budleigh Salterton in Devon, England and became a devoted Grandpa of seven. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren and filled life and learning with excitement and wonder. He painted murals, built playhouses, hung swings, put glowing stars on ceilings, and crafted one of a kind handmade treasures for them. He was also adored as an elementary school volunteer, especially at Kid Street Charter School and Wilson Elementary School in Sonoma County. With a talking toy parrot, a jar of blinking fireflies, and a Dr. Seuss book with their names handwritten into the story, he went right to the hearts of children with great merriment. He made hundreds of exquisite individual birthday crowns, was a face painter extraordinaire, and gave away fun books to kids wherever he went. He was also a volunteer and supporter of many other causes including libraries, adult literacy programs, environmental groups, and efforts to empower girls and women. He had a sense of reciprocity and appreciation for the work of others and would regularly brighten spirits with thoughtful gifts.
He had a great love for the arts, for writing, and for nature. Whether taking his kids to a musical, a cultural fair, or a handcrafts shop, he was highly tuned to discovering what was unique, special, and authentic. He loved reading, telling stories, sharing jokes, and corresponding with friends around the world. He was well-known for his letters to newspaper editors, columnists, journalists, politicians, and businesses. These letters often included brilliant ideas, poignant observations, biting opinions, and great wit. Over the many years on his farm, he cut whimsical crop circles in the grass of his old apple orchard which were admired and photographed by pilots and gave rides to beaming grandchildren on a small and faithful tractor. He marveled daily at the wonder and beauties of nature all around him, planted poppies, and tended lovingly to animals wild and tame.
For almost 92 years, he lived with a creative spirit, a generous heart, and a giving soul. He always tried to look out for the underdog and those in need. He especially had an extraordinary way of noticing beings of all kinds who might otherwise go unnoticed. A little girl in need of proper glasses, a homeless teenager, an injured deer, and the lonely Christmas tree were some of the worthy things he recognized. He saw so much to appreciate in this world and so much to do to make it better and he always did his very best to do so.
His life and spirit live on in three generations, and he will be forever loved and missed by his family, friends, and the many children, creatures, and souls whose lives he touched. As he often wrote in his farewells to us, we say now to him, "ever onward, grandpa."