Life Stories

John Davis : Beloved teacher made music fun for kids

John S. Davis was 3 years old when he demonstrated an aptitude for music. ...

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• Jared Giddings: 'He had this amazing smile and love of life'
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• Philippe Coursodon: Dog groomer had plenty of people skills
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• Alice Papcun: AZ ACLU founder never quit fight for equality
• Chang-Yun "Charlie" Fan: From cotton fields of agrarian China to the physics lab
• George Markovich: A barkeep to remember
• Trudy Griffin-Pierce: Navajo culture, beliefs were her inspiration
• Wayne Marks: His wife and their Harleys were one on the road of life
• Louis Holler: Helping others find work, a purpose in life was his calling
• Madeline Giacoma Wyatt: Tombstone matriarch an elegant, caring doer
• Christian Glory Hallelu Yah!: A 'one-of-a kind' influence on kids
• Frank Crosswhite: Legacy of botanist lives on at Boyce Thompson Arboretum
• Memo Grassman: A priest and caring man forever
• Kathleen "Kay" Kelly: Living up to one's faith in Sanctuary Movement
• Melody Lee Personius: Health problems led her to stand up for herself, others
• Edmundo Cárdenas: Poor, struggling drew his concern
• Bernice Zimmerman: Longtime salon owner had style of her own
• Howard Goldwyn: Businessman, humanitarian left indelible mark
• Monty Webb: An accomplished teacher, musician
• Paul Skinner: UA professor ranged from audiology to spirituality
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• Steven Sles: Handicap not in picture for multitalented artist
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• Halden Birt Jr.: He was the king of coins — bank on it
• Harold Ray Nelson: Chaplain died as he lived - true to his profession
• Fred Grove: Western novelist lived life he depicted
• Genny Gentry: Rabbits were all ears for woman who seemed to cast spell on them
• Bill Richey: Renaissance man could throw a punch
• Stacy Knight: Lifelong athlete and prankster wanted to be remembered as just a regular guy
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• Tom Nolan: Brave, adventurous, inspired by lacrosse
• Mike Cervantes: Hardworking centenarian persevered
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• Norma Schott: Faith was in the forefront of Catholic's life
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• Jim Gibson: If you needed educational help, then Jim Gibson was your man
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• Rob Sweitzer: His pet projects: rescuing dogs, cats
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• Lori Davisson: Past, present, future: Historian always had firm grip on them all
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• Roland 'Spanky' Molina: 'Spanky' charged through short life in spite of his genetic heart defect
• Arlene Lord: PCC secretary's special touch was her 'ministry of caring'
• Rudy Sudigala: Band leader was true to the music
• Jim Hawk: Bees pleased gentle soul, who made them his livelihood
• Jesus Camacho: Early lawman a tough cop who patrolled a tough beat
• Betty Caudle: Gem show's co-founders were rock-solid partners
• Steven Barrios: 'Cool kid's' zest for life trumped handicap
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• Jim Butler: Tough guy had mile-wide soft streak
• Paul Edwards: Architect went back to the drawing board for final romance
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• Ondria Chavez: 'Don't be sad. Just help me pray 4 a miracle'
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• Orville Mickens: Old West collector avidly pursued past
• Elizabeth Jane Christensen: Dauntless Libby won every fight but one
• Tainy Hill: 'Hep cat' trumpeter jammed with greats
• Karen Ann Steiner: She could have been the CEO of Love Inc.
• Dianne Kalal: Quadriplegic blazed a courageous trail
• Tim Stroud: Musician's life had plenty of high notes
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• Frank Calvert: Saguaro Corners restaurant was where he loved to be
• Gwen Lacy: From an early age, her life flowed with rhymed, upbeat verse
• Vonda Dennett: Cuts, scrapes? Sure, but Nurse Vonda mended hearts, too
• Raúl Miranda: Businessman's legacy: order, discipline, hard work
• Joe Quiroz: Happy family man enjoyed golf for 75 years
• Joan Glover: Just before death, one last belly laugh
• Hugh Downs: He was entrepreneur to the end
• Okey Probasco: Storyteller's tales were his long suit
• Matthew Joseph Lang: Builder's reputation stands amid many local structures
• Joseph Tellez: World is a gloomier place without his caring smile
• Donald Wetzel: Bisbee novelist's talent was writ large
• Lois Fode: Low-key Lois spent 25 years volunteering
• Antonia "Toni" Aguilar: Needlework skills created wide recognition for artisan
• W. Kirby Lockard: Architect's work had an impact worldwide
• Lillian 'Sunshine' Wright: A diverse turnout for a colorful character
• Gail James Yoakum: Vietnam widow confronted war's legacy with editorial, personality
• Nick Ramus: Actor was 'a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of guy'
• Andrew Bonillas: DJ loved rockin' it at local Tejano station
• Ron Rowlison: Mechanic, artist, biker was 'every bit our father'
• Alice Claire Lehmann Nelson: Mother loved tracing her family roots
• Mary Burnett Magoffin: Gal with gumption loved West, bugs, birds, history
• George Pickett Wilson Jr.: With a booming voice, actor/teacher left legacy
• David Cornelius: Clan recalls fun times
• Mary Scheier: Green Valley ceramist won world renown
• Dr. Michael Lobell: Oncologist was devoted to treating Indians
• Ida Schwartz: A zest for life kept her dancing at every chance
• Kory Laos: Fearless, friendly, funny, his 'Heart was bigger than his body'
• Dorothy Mullins: Bonillas' 'Grandma' a beloved figure to children she helped
• Emma Ashley: Outgoing, all-around good sport was someone you wanted to know
• Shirley Schwartz: A lot of living was packed into this woman's 68 years
• Doris Mindell: Great love of the law spurred on high achiever
• Fred Koch: Barbershop was where harmony lived
• Joseph Peter Hershberger III: He worked hard cultivating cotton and steadfast role in Ariz. politics
• Judge William Neal Sherrill: Justice is blind, but jurist let everyone see light of fairness
• Dave Cooper: He was a Marine, artist, dancer — want more? There's plenty
• Catherine Ann Kenny Marum: She traveled but always returned to Menlo Park
• Charles "Rod" Ferrell: He saw so clearly the need to help the deaf and blind
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• Dolores Stinnett: Longtime dog lover had friends in animal world to the very end
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• Charlotte Kay Thornton: 'She took care of me,' says special one of 6 kids
• George Arrington: They're gone now, but love of 60 years knows no death
• Arthur Moroyoqui: Teacher-coach's life lessons went far beyond classroom
• Greta Mae Hedgcock: Dolls played a vital role in life of Tucson woman
• Erin Raya Schoenberg: Dedicated, creative teacher touched many lives with love
• Gus Balon: He never gussied up Balon's home-style fare
• Barbara Smelker: Her sense of adventure was rooted in Wild West
• Maurice "Morie" Sugarman: Mr. Hockey shot, scored big for the kids
• Lawrence "Larry" Solomon: 'Some people don't do a thimbleful of what he did in life'
• James "Dickie" Thompson: Complete guitarist is gone, but 'Dickie influence' lives
• Charles Hartung Jr.: If he were a rich man … and yet he was, in ways that count most
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• Savannah Dabdoub: Feisty infant touched so many in her short life
• Janet Albanese: Nurse kept others foremost until her death came at 65
• Rev. Joseph Baker: Life's underdogs always had a friend in Father Joe
• Mark White: A lot of pun was included in local entertainer's life
• Juanita Marquez Kelley: She possessed a warmth that even death can't chill
• Serafina Grace: A gifted athlete who loved her marble title most
• James "Jim" Palmer: Optical engineer was the 'No. 1 choral-music fan'
• Albert Sternberg: He sold fruit, vegetables all over town, and many awaited him on his rounds
• Elizabeth "Betty" Engstrom: She got the life of her dreams, spent soaring in the sky