The Senate of the State of Texas has passed a resolution mourning the loss of the Honorable L. Clifford Davis, who passed away on February 15, 2025, at the age of 100. Born in 1924 in Wilton, Arkansas, Davis dedicated his life to civil rights and justice, overcoming the challenges of the Great Depression and Jim Crow segregation. He pursued higher education, earning degrees from the University of Arkansas and Howard University School of Law, and became a trailblazer for Black students in Arkansas. His legal career included significant contributions to desegregation efforts in schools and the establishment of the Fort Worth Black Bar Association.

Davis made history as the first appointed and elected Black district court judge in Tarrant County, serving from 1983 to 1988, and was instrumental in creating the first drug diversion court in the area. Throughout his 75 years as a licensed attorney, he received numerous accolades for his community service and legal contributions, including the Blackstone Award and an honorary doctorate from the University of Arkansas. Beyond his professional achievements, Davis was a devoted family man and community mentor, leaving a lasting legacy of integrity and generosity. The resolution expresses condolences to his family and honors his remarkable life and contributions to civil rights.