Don Marion Davis obit

Don Davis Obituary

 He was not on the list.

DAVIS, Don 103, formerly of 6426 Santa Aurelia in Tucson, passed away in TMC on December 10, 2020 after a brief illness. Don was born on October 9, 1917 in Hollywood, CA, and appeared in several movies as a child actor for Max Sennet Comedies under the stage name of Little John Henry. Mr. Davis earned a B.S. degree from the University of Oregon in 1940 and subsequent degrees from the University of South Africa and the University of Arizona. Upon his graduation from Oregon he began a 28-year career in the US Army, achieving the rank of colonel. Don served as an infantry officer in Europe during WW II where he received a Purple Heart, and Korea. Later assignments included atomic weapons research in Nevada, a teaching post at the US Military Academy at West Point, military attaché posts in Japan and South Africa and attachment to the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. Mr. Davis is survived by a daughter, Suzanne Person of Denver, CO; a grandson, Brian Davis of Tiburon, CA; a granddaughter, Heather Faimon of Hastings, NE; a nephew, William Griffin of Tucson; a niece, Elizabeth Fallon of Lafayette, NY and six great-grandchildren. Don was predeceased by his beloved wife of 50 years, Shirley (Griffin) Davis and three sons, Kirk, Bruce and Douglas, all of Tucson. A Memorial Service will be held in January at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Marana, AZ. Arrangements by DESERT ROSE HEATHER.

Known professionally known as John Henry Jr. and Don Marion, was an American child actor of the silent film era, who during a brief career in show business appeared in several feature roles and comedy shorts in Hollywood screened between 1919 and 1925. He also had uncredited parts in radio. He was one of the last surviving actors who worked in the silent film era.

He was born in Hollywood, California, on October 9, 1917, to Henry G. Davis and Helen Davis. He was discovered by studio entrepreneur and director Mack Sennett while he and his mother were visiting his uncle, British-born American actor and comedian Billy Armstrong around 1919. He was visiting the set of a film when the baby who was originally cast was not performing well. Davis then replaced him successfully.

 

In a 1920 newspaper article, he was described as one of the most famous child actors in the world. His feature-length films included Down on the Farm (1920) and A Small Town Idol (1921). He was often cast alongside the dog Teddy, who was one of the most well-known film animals of the era. By 1921, his films reportedly had to adjust to the fact that he was continuously growing.

 

Actor

Betty Bronson and Neil Hamilton in The Golden Princess (1925)

The Golden Princess

Tennessee Hunter (age 10)

1925

 

Charles Ray in Percy (1925)

Percy

Percival Rogeen, as a boy

1925

 

Emily Fitzroy, Bull Montana, Jane Novak, and Earle Williams in Jealous Husbands (1923)

Jealous Husbands

Little Boy (uncredited)

1923

 

George Cooper and Louise Fazenda in Bow Wow (1922)

Bow Wow

The Country Girl's Baby Brother (as John Henry Jr.)

1922

 

John Davidson, Conrad Nagel, and Edith Roberts in Saturday Night (1922)

Saturday Night

Child (uncredited)

1922

 

Chester Conklin and Louise Fazenda in A Rural Cinderella (1921)

A Rural Cinderella

(as John Henry Jr.)

Short

1921

 

Jon Junior and Edna Shipman in Wanted, a Girl! (1921)

Wanted, a Girl!

(as Baby John Henry)

Short

1921

 

The Love Egg (1921)

The Love Egg

(as John Henry Jr.)

Short

1921

 

Lige Conley, Dot Farley, and Harriet Hammond in Astray from the Steerage (1921)

Astray from the Steerage

The Immigrant Child (as John Henry Jr.)

Short

1921

 

Officer Cupid

The Cook's Son (as John Henry Jr.)

Short

1921

 

Billy Bevan, Louise Fazenda, and Don Marion in Made in the Kitchen (1921)

Made in the Kitchen

The Son (as John Henry Jr.)

Short

1921

 

Lige Conley, Dot Farley, Charles Murray, and Eddie Fitzgerald in The Unhappy Finish (1921)

The Unhappy Finish

(as John Henry Jr.)

Short

1921

 

A Small Town Idol (1921)

A Small Town Idol

Baby (uncredited)

1921

 

Bungalow Troubles (1921)

Bungalow Troubles

The Son (as John Henry Jr.)

Short

1921

 

Billy Bevan and Louise Fazenda in It's a Boy (1920)

It's a Boy

The Child (as John Henry Jr.)

Short

1920

 

Harriet Hammond, Fanny Kelly, Charles Murray, George O'Hara, Ford Sterling, and Eva Thatcher in Great Scott! (1920)

Great Scott!

Undetermined Secondary Role (as John Henry Jr., unconfirmed)

Short

1920

 

Billy Armstrong, Billy Bevan, and Louise Fazenda in The Quack Doctor (1920)

The Quack Doctor

The Rich Father's Son (as John Henry Jr.)

Short

1920

 

Phyllis Haver and Ben Turpin in Married Life (1920)

Married Life

Child (as John Henry Jr.)

1920

 

Joseph Belmont, Fanny Kelly, and Charles Murray in By Golly! (1920)

By Golly!

Minor Role (uncredited)

Short

1920

 

Let 'er Go (1920)

Let 'er Go

The Country Girl's Little Brother (as John Henry Jr.)

Short

1920

 

The Gingham Girl (1920)

The Gingham Girl

Minor Role (unconfirmed, uncredited)

Short

1920

 

Mack Sennett in Down on the Farm (1920)

Down on the Farm

The Baby (as John Henry Jr.)

1920

 

Louise Fazenda, Harriet Hammond, Ben Turpin, and Teddy the Dog in The Star Boarder (1920)

The Star Boarder

The Boarding House Owner's Son (as John Henry Jr.)

Short

1920

 

His Last False Step (1919)

His Last False Step

Minor Role (uncredited)

Short

1919

 

Louise Fazenda, Eddie Gribbon, and Hughie Mack in Back to the Kitchen (1919)

Back to the Kitchen

The Baby (as John Henry Jr.)

Short

1919

 

Heinie Conklin and Ben Turpin in Cupid's Day Off (1919)

Cupid's Day Off

Child (as John Henry Jr., unconfirmed)

Short

1919