Longtime supporters of education in La Mirada, Ralph and Virginia’s 3 sons graduated from LMHS, and over a decade, inspired success and fostered opportunity in Ron, Ralph Jr. & Mark, and a whole host of friends. Whether it was coaching the kids from Little League on through high school sports, developing relationships with their teachers, coaches and administrators, or just lending a helping hand when someone had trouble studying, their influence was felt beyond the high school halls.
After serving on the LMHS Booster Club, Ralph had the idea to approach the school district about building a proper stadium on vacant land at La Mirada High. One of five district high schools at the time, LMHS played its football games at rival Excelsior, and he knew players, fans, and eventually alumni wanted a place they could call their own.
“It was a close community”, says Ralph Sr., “like a small town dropped into a big city.” He knew it would bring more unity to the area. All while running a business (and with Virginia running the house!), he formed the La Mirada Stadium Committee in 1966, collecting over 7,000 signatures in favor of building the stadium. But the proposal languished from lack of funds. Ralph worked hard to create a special election, finally getting the vote in October 1972. The measure won by an overwhelming margin.
The stadium was dedicated and opened on October 3, 1973. More than 5,000 people attended the ceremony, which featured a band, drill team, young athletes, parade, speeches and fireworks. It also included a standing ovation for Ralph H. Davis, Sr., for spearheading the drive and chairing the La Mirada Stadium Commission for all those years. Ralph turned down a request by supporters who wanted the facility named after him, saying that the stadium should remain named for the community that it serves. Instead, a plaque thanking the residents of La Mirada and specifically him for his hard work, was placed at the stadium's entrance (pictured above).
It’s with that attitude that we continue Ralph and Virginia’s legacy of hard work and humility. They continued to support the men and women they had grown so close to, as Ralph served on the school board. After moving to Fullerton, they continued to provide the means of support for high school and higher education to nieces and nephews, grandchildren and friends. They have never ceased to be there as a mother and father, mentors to all.
The young people that they mentored have become business owners and inventors, artists and financial managers, mothers and fathers themselves. If you speak with any of these bright stars, they will credit success to their earliest and continual supporters.
Ralph and Virginia have often said, in one form or another that: “It’s all about opportunity; if given the right opportunity, you can do anything.” We are proud to continue with this spirit to provide scholarships for a new generation in La Mirada.
On July 31, 2016, Ralph H. Davis, Sr, passed away while surrounded by his entire family. He had attended and spoke at the Scholarship Banquet that handed out the inaugural scholarships only 2 months before. It is a vast understatement to say the Foundation will miss him greatly. Please click here to read his full obituary.
Virginia continues to live in Fullerton, and is looking forward to new rounds of scholars bearing the Davis name.
If you would like to honor his memory with a donation, please click the "Support" button above, or here.
After serving on the LMHS Booster Club, Ralph had the idea to approach the school district about building a proper stadium on vacant land at La Mirada High. One of five district high schools at the time, LMHS played its football games at rival Excelsior, and he knew players, fans, and eventually alumni wanted a place they could call their own.
“It was a close community”, says Ralph Sr., “like a small town dropped into a big city.” He knew it would bring more unity to the area. All while running a business (and with Virginia running the house!), he formed the La Mirada Stadium Committee in 1966, collecting over 7,000 signatures in favor of building the stadium. But the proposal languished from lack of funds. Ralph worked hard to create a special election, finally getting the vote in October 1972. The measure won by an overwhelming margin.
The stadium was dedicated and opened on October 3, 1973. More than 5,000 people attended the ceremony, which featured a band, drill team, young athletes, parade, speeches and fireworks. It also included a standing ovation for Ralph H. Davis, Sr., for spearheading the drive and chairing the La Mirada Stadium Commission for all those years. Ralph turned down a request by supporters who wanted the facility named after him, saying that the stadium should remain named for the community that it serves. Instead, a plaque thanking the residents of La Mirada and specifically him for his hard work, was placed at the stadium's entrance (pictured above).
It’s with that attitude that we continue Ralph and Virginia’s legacy of hard work and humility. They continued to support the men and women they had grown so close to, as Ralph served on the school board. After moving to Fullerton, they continued to provide the means of support for high school and higher education to nieces and nephews, grandchildren and friends. They have never ceased to be there as a mother and father, mentors to all.
The young people that they mentored have become business owners and inventors, artists and financial managers, mothers and fathers themselves. If you speak with any of these bright stars, they will credit success to their earliest and continual supporters.
Ralph and Virginia have often said, in one form or another that: “It’s all about opportunity; if given the right opportunity, you can do anything.” We are proud to continue with this spirit to provide scholarships for a new generation in La Mirada.
On July 31, 2016, Ralph H. Davis, Sr, passed away while surrounded by his entire family. He had attended and spoke at the Scholarship Banquet that handed out the inaugural scholarships only 2 months before. It is a vast understatement to say the Foundation will miss him greatly. Please click here to read his full obituary.
Virginia continues to live in Fullerton, and is looking forward to new rounds of scholars bearing the Davis name.
If you would like to honor his memory with a donation, please click the "Support" button above, or here.