Dr. Milt Davis Honored with Memorial Tree Planting

Councilmember LaBonge and Brian Davis, son of the late Dr. Milt Davis. The two were joined by more than 50 others whose lives were touched by Dr. Davis for a memorial planting of 20 Canary Island Pine trees in Griffith Park.

The late Dr. Milt Davis, beloved teacher, coach, and family man, was honored on Saturday, March 14 with the planting of 20 trees at Dante’s View, a hillside in Griffith Park with a spectacular view of Los Angeles.

Councilmember LaBonge was joined by more than 50 of Dr. Davis’ friends, relatives, and former students for the planting that included the construction of a new bench by Eagle Scout Alex Joaquin and assistance from the Highlander Fire Crew.

“On the field, Coach Davis would say, ‘When you get knocked down, you get back up, get back in the huddle, and call another play – you keep going towards your goal,’” said Councilmember LaBonge, for whom Dr. Davis was a lifelong mentor and friend. “His advice was bigger than football. It was an important life lesson that touched tens of thousands of people.”

Dr. Davis was an All-Pro football player, a 30-year scout for the National Football League, a coach at John Marshall High School, and a counselor and professor of Life Sciences at Los Angeles Community College. He passed away in September, 2008 at his home in Elmira, Oregon.