Obituary of Glenn Solon Davis

On May 17, 2022, Glenn Solon Davis passed peacefully in Placerville at the age of 90. He was a renaissance man who influenced everyone he touched. Glenn was born in 1932 to Glenn and Florence Davis in Medford, Oregon. Born during the Great Depression, Glenn’s dad paid for his birth with cords of wood. Glenn’s parents moved to Salinas, California where he grew up with his three brothers Arlen, Norman and Roy. Glenn’s love of gardening began there when he planted his first lawn as a child. After attending Salinas High School, he enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in Berlin as a meteorologist. It was during this time he married Barbara Lumsden and later had four children. With the help of the GI bill, he obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degree in physical education and his teaching credential. That enabled him to teach and coach at Kit Carson Jr. High and Hiram Johnson High. To supplement his income, he became a naturalist in the summers at Big Basin and Big Sur State Parks. These experiences gave him the background knowledge to open Sly Park Environmental Center for Outdoor Education as its director in 1970. Thus for 19 years he was able to unite his love of teaching, science, physical education, and the environment. After retiring from Sly Park, Glenn remained active by volunteering as a science teacher at an elementary school and as a UC Master Gardener. However, these weren’t Glenn’s only accomplishments. He had a myriad of interests included drafting and landscaping. He used these skills to draw up the blue prints and create the garden rooms in his dream home in Placerville. He was passionate about all aspects of nature, the environment, gardening, art, cooking, traveling, and the well-being and value of others. During his lifetime, he has been a role model of integrity and inspiration. He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Janet, his former wife, Barbara, his children Darien, Tim (Suzette), Aaron (Linda), his 4 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, his brothers Arlen (Clara Ann) and Roy (Andrea) and all his dear friends who have been like family. He is preceded in death by his parents, his son Doug, and his brother Norman. A Celebration of Life will be held at Foothills United Methodist Church, 3301 Green Valley Road, Rescue on Saturday, June 25th at 2:00. Should friends desire, contributions can be sent to: Friends of Sly Park (for children scholarships) 5600 Sly Park Rd, Pollock Pines, Ca 95726 Or UC Regents In Memory of Glenn Davis El Dorado Master Gardeners 311 Fair Lane, Placerville, Ca 95667