About 300 people turned out Aug. 9 at Cloisters Park in Morro Bay to celebrate the life of the late-Councilman Robert “Red” Davis. In what was the largest public memorial since the 2011 death of fitness guru Jack LaLanne, members of the SLO Bike Club arrived on two wheels, to celebrate their fellow cyclist, Davis, mingling with the mourners from the City and community, wearing the cyclist’s uniform of florescent green and bright yellow nylon coats and special cycling shoes. The City recreation department put out hundreds of chairs and set up the memorial service. The color guard from Vandenberg Space Force Base was on hand to conduct military honors for Davis, an Air Force veteran who achieved the rank of senior master sergeant. Davis died July 24 and leaves behind his wife Gail, daughter Catherine and her husband Patrick, and two grandchildren, Caitlyn and Sara.
A portrait of Councilman Red Davis and his wife during a campaign event. Davis had just won a second term on Council at last November’s Election. The folded flag is presented to Davis’ wife Gail and daughter Catherine. Color guard from Vandenberg SFB conduct the honorable flag folding ceremony for Davis, who was an Air Force Veteran. The color guard from Vandenberg Space Force Base was on hand to give Councilman Davis, who was in the Air Force Reserves for over 20 years achieving the rank of senior master sergeant. The contingent form Vandenberg included a rifle salute, the playing of Taps and a color guard conducting the flag ceremony. Morro Bay City Manager Scott Collins praised Davis for his dedication to the community, the council job and his fellow man. ‘We need a lot more people like Red in this world.’ And, he was ‘One of those rare people who figured out life.’ He praised him for being a good listener, which he too was, and ‘We could all do better to listen more.’ Morro Bay Mayor, John Headding emceed the celebration of Councilman Red Davis’ life, recounting how Davis was always ready to volunteer to work on various issues the Council was facing — from the purchase of Eagle Rock and the Chevron Dog Beach, to the proposed offshore wind farms, and how he would not support it unless Castel Wind reached agreement with local commercial fishermen. Patrick Sullivan, Councilman Red Davis’ son in law, commenting about the memorial held Aug. 9, ‘What an amazing turnout; what an amazing town.’ Sullivan added that Davis, ‘never followed his passions; he brought them with him. He didn’t follow, he led.’ And, ‘He loved this community to its core.’ Councilman Red Davis’ daughter Catherine and granddaughter, Caitlyn read a short recounting of his life that Catherine said she discovered on his computer after he died July 24. The piece recounted his early days of being born just after World War II and how his wife of 50 years, Gail, changed him. ‘Gail took the rough edges and turned me into someone you could take out in public.’