David L. Davis

David Leonard Davis, age 74, died Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at Country Arch Care Center in Pittstown, NJ. Born in Philadelphia, David was the son of the late Alexander Sidney Frieda (Katz) Davis. He graduated from Boys High School, Philadelphia, PA in the Class of 1959, received a BFA in Dimensional Design from Philadelphia College of Art in 1963, and a Master's Degree in Art Education from Assumption College, Worcester, MA, in 1966. He went on to become a Teacher of Craft Design at Franklin High School in Somerset, NJ, from 1966 to 1971. David married Carolyn Thorndike Davis in 1971. This April, they would be married 45 years. A self-employed sculptor, David was the owner of “The People Pot Production Place,” and later, “Sculptureworks.” David is best known for his famous collection of stoneware "People Pots"; a remarkable marriage of design and nature. Each of his pieces are unique; a carefully handcrafted original of tender, funny, philosophical, and happy faces. Working with clay, David incorporated an unusual blend of earthy surface textures, with the hardness and colors of a glaze. His distinctive use of subtle colorations, and his flair for capturing the various moods of human expression, has earned him national recognition. His work is included in many private collections. His Judaica sculptures included a chess set made for a private collector. The theme was "Fiddler on the Roof;" one side was the Tzar, his wife and Russian city folk; the other was Tevya, Golde and all the village Jews. David was the Former President of New Jersey Designer Craftsman and locally he was the President of MACNJ, a chartered Macintosh users group. There are hundreds of such groups world-wide and they are recognized unofficially by Apple Computer Corp. as ambassadors for the Macintosh platform. Locally in the 1980's he was the host of a radio program called "Terrific Tuesday" at the local radio station, WDVR 89.7 FM. He loved sailing on Round Valley and Barnegat Bay and on land in his Miata Convertible. He was a long-time Philadelphia Phillies Fan. In addition to being survived by his wife, Carolyn, he was so proud to be "Uncle Dave" to his nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. A memorial gathering of friends and family will be from 1 to 3 pm, Saturday, February 27, 2106 at Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. Memorial contributions in David’s name may be made to Country Arch Care Center, 114 Pittstown Road, Pittstown, NJ 08867.