Fred Davis (1931 to 2016)
The Fred Davis Memorial Dinner is the major annual fundraiser of the Tulare County Democratic Central Committee. It was is named after Fred Davis, a long political activist who was instrumental in establishing the Visalia Democratic Club. Fred was an inspiration to several generations of political activists.
Who was Fred Davis?
Fred was one of one of five children born to Mary Evelyn Buck and Sam Davis in Altus, Arkansas. Fred the Air Force at age of 17, went to radar school in Phoenix and worked in Alaska mapping shipping lanes. With the G.I. Bill he attended Redlands College where he became an avid student of history and the arts, he received a Master’s in social counseling. Fred worked as a juvenile probation officer in Alameda County and then joined Synanon where his work focused around addiction and recovery, later in life he worked for Child Protective Services. In retirement he founded the Visalia Democratic Club, ran for local office, and focused on mobilizing underrepresented minority groups.
Fred would want to be remembered for his unwavering love of the SF Giants, his masterful tennis skills, his work as president of several unions, his tireless advocacy for local charities, his frequent spirited political articles in local newspapers, but mostly for his earnest sense of compassion for children.
Fred was devoted to his family and was a mentor to many local activists.
His smile and his inspiring calls to action will be dearly missed.
Previous Dinners
