David Perry Davis, age 55 years, of Hopewell Township, NJ, died unexpectedly on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at Desert Regional Medical Center, Palm Springs, CA.

David was born in New York City, NY, September 15, 1964, son of Lou Ellen Davis and the late Perry John Davis, Jr. During his life he lived in New York City, NY, Stamford, CT, Denver CO, and Park Ridge, Skillman, Princeton, and Lawrenceville, NJ.

David Perry Davis’s legacy will be well-respected advocacy, cherished friendship, and above all else love for family.

Graduating from Rutgers in 1991 with a B.A. in History, Dave’s original intention was to pursue his Ph.D. and teach history. However, while studying for the G.R.E., he found himself going down one of life’s rough paths, experiencing the ins and outs of the New Jersey Family Court system. While navigating these waters, he found himself with the Law School Admission Test study book in his hands rather than the G.R.E. study guide. It would not be long before he passed the law school entrance exam. He first attended Farleigh Dickinson University, earning his paralegal certificate in 1992, moving on to attend Rutgers University at Camden earning his J. D. in 1996.

His tenacity, humility, and genuineness propelled him to being among the top of his field in family law. He was the proprietor of The Law Office of David Perry Davis, since 1997. Prior to opening his firm, he worked at Indik & MacNamara in Princeton, NJ, Margrabia & Donegan, P.C. in Sewell, NJ, and the Camden County Office of the Public Defender in Camden, NJ. He also worked for State of New Jersey / Department of the Judiciary where he clerked in the Family Part for the Hon. Donald W. de Cordova, J.S.C. in 1996.

Dave was a well-respected Early Settlement Panelist and frequently attended monthly Family Bench Bar conferences. His commitment to helping the underdog also drove him to take up civil rights cases related to family matters; Dave most recently spent the past four years advocating on behalf of unfair driver license suspensions in child support matters, shaping a law that went into effect on April 1 of this year.

He may be best known for his Supreme Court case Pasqua v. Council, the landmark family court decision decided by the Supreme Court of New Jersey in 2006. The court ruled that indigent parents facing the serious threat of incarceration for nonpayment of child support were entitled to legal counsel. Here again, Dave ensured that every side was heard.

In his curriculum vitae, Dave shares how his practice was shaped by both drawing on his personal experience and this passion for helping others navigate through the emotional territory and intimidating legal process of family law: “…having been through the system myself left me keenly aware of the unique challenges and demands of practicing Family Law in New Jersey…Whenever possible, I attempt to resolve family law matters amicably and efficiently. But, when necessary, I am not hesitant to litigate to strongly advocate for your rights and causes in court.”   

Anyone who knew Dave truly knew the depth of sentiment behind these words.  His character shone in his commitment to making difficult situations more manageable — thereby easing the concerns and burdens of those involved — as well as his willingness to examine situations from every angle and to ensure the human condition was not lost in the story.

Even in his spare time, the law was on Dave’s mind and he was a conscientious advocate for the wrongfully convicted. One example was the several trips he took to Arkansas and Tennessee in support of three men known as the West Memphis 3, who were ultimately released, one from death row.  His contagious enthusiasm about this case recruited other supporters along the way. He was also passionate and concerned about what is happening to children at the United States borders; he had planned on going down to do pro bono work and greatly supported the mission of RAICES, the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services.

A veteran of the United States Army, Dave faithfully served his country both on active duty as well as spending several years in the reserves.

On weekends, he and his daughter, Scarlett, could be found playing card games, chess, or checkers.  On his most recent birthday, he enjoyed a family outing to Music Fest in Princeton, where he enjoyed dancing with her and taking in music in Palmer Square.

Family was very important to Dave, and nothing was more important to him than being the best father he could be.  He took annual trips with Timothy to Mexico and Central America during Timothy’s school breaks, using these opportunities to introduce them both to new cultures and practice their Spanish.  He also took family vacations to New Orleans and Puerto Rico, and traveled with Jen and Scarlett to Washington, DC and Denver in support of Jen’s education, where he enjoyed zoos, museums and Georgetown Cupcakes with Scarlett.

Dave’s siblings fondly recall a fun and spirited sibling relationship. From playing in the woods behind their house, to building big forts in the downstairs playroom, to playing all kinds of board games (he’ll have you know he was virtually undefeated at Stratego, thank you).

His sister Leslie stated she, “…always felt valued, respected and deeply loved by him.”

His brother Mike always remembers the special bond with his little brother and from the earliest memories the two of them looking out for each other, from helping repel the neighborhood bully as kids to Dave offering invaluable help to him when he really needed it in the legal arena just a few months ago. Even though their relationship was not without conflict (in both childhood and adulthood), they always found their way back when they needed each other the most.

Spirituality was also a vital part of Dave’s persona. He was on a constant search for answers to the big questions in life. Raised in the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, his search was fostered in an environment of openness and understanding. He especially embodied the Unitarian Universalist principles of recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every person, justice equity and compassion in human relations, and the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.

More recently, Dave became passionate about yoga, meditation and self-improvement through mind expansion, making trips to the ashram of Neem Karoli Baba in Taos, New Mexico and Bahkti Fest in Joshua Tree, California. It was clear to those around him that he was truly embodying the benefit of these experiences.

The common threads in Dave’s life’s work as a parent, son, sibling, friend, and advocate are passion, commitment, and love.  The guru Ram Dass once said, “I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion — and where it isn’t, that’s where my work lies.”

Dave, though you left this world well before any of us were ready to see you go, your example of love and compassion will help guide us in working to help realize your vision of a world guided by connection, beauty, and justice.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his two adored dogs, Meg and Victor Einstein.

Surviving are his mother, Lou Ellen Davis; his son and daughter-in-law, Timothy Michael Davis and Kimberly Coulter; his daughter and her mother, Scarlett Elizabeth Davis and Jennifer Santos; his sister and brother-in-law, Leslie and Kishor Laud; his big brother Michael Scott Davis; his niece, Maya Sara Law Davis; his two nephews, Arjun and Ravi Laud; his loving dog, Bella; several extended family members; and many dear friends.

The family will receive friends on Friday, November 1, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822, as well as on Saturday, November 2, 2019 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, 50 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton, NJ 08540.

Life celebration services officiated by Rev. Bill Neely will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton and to which all are welcome.

Interment in the Garden of Remembrance at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, located on church grounds, will immediately follow the services.

Please visit Dave’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com where one can light a memorial candle and leave a message of condolence and words of comfort, as well as share stories and photographs of his life.

The passion in which David Perry Davis lived life fighting for those whose voices were muffled will never be forgotten. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Dave are asked to make a contribution to RAICES , The Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, or to a charity which fights for basic human rights. The family thanks you in advance for your thoughtfulness.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”