George “Charlie” Davis Jr.

George Thomas “Charlie” Davis, Jr. was born to the late George Davis and Maggie Davis on February 2, 1940 in Orangeburg County. He departed this life on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at his residence in Ocala, Florida.

He was reared in Eutawville, South Carolina and attended the public schools in Orangeburg County. At an early age Charlie, started his vocation by cutting Elementary School to watch the Thoroughbreds train on the farm where his father worked.  He began working with horses with Obrein of Eutawville, SC. Small in stature but tough and determined, Davis learned how to exercise horses and eventually went to work for legendary trainer Lucien Laurin of Branchdale Race Track of Holly Hill, SC, becoming a member of the famed “Holly Hills.” His love for horses was truly outspoken which made him travel to different states, from New York to Florida, where he resided to live in 1981.

Davis exercised some of the era’s top racing stars of the 1960s, including champion filly Quill and Belmont Stakes winner Amberoid. In 1971, when Laurin took over Christopher Chenery’s Meadow string, Davis was assigned as exercise rider for the stable’s champion colt Riva Ridge and later for 1973 Triple Crown winner, Secretariat. He continued exercising horses until 1981, after suffering an injury.

Davis was later employed at John Penn Horse Track and worked as a foaling manager for several farms in the Ocala, Florida area, until he got ill and couldn't work any longer in 2012. He will be remembered throughout the industry as a well-rounded horseman.

Charlie was a very outspoken and kind-hearted. He was a good cook. He loved his family dearly and loved to make them laugh he also enjoyed dancing with his grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by two daughters, Theresa Nicholson and Frances Davis; and one brother, Jerome ‘Doug” Davis.

He leaves to cherish his fond memories to: his wife, Carolyn of the home; children, Jacqueline (Charles) Dove, Ployce Davis, Darrell (Margaret) Davis, Sharon (Jammie) Willis, Michael (Priscilla) Davis, Katina (Joseph) Davis, Stella, Jackson, and Markeal (Trence) Davis; his siblings, Henrietta Lawrence, John Henry (Rose) Davis, Hermie (Albertha) Davis, Annie Ruth Davis Muhaymin, Louise Davis, Marshall (Kisha) Davis, Sadie (Lebrons) Brown, Annie Bell Davis (Stanley) Wright, and Stormy Davis; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other loving relatives, The Secretariat Team, and friends.

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