PAMUNKEY KINFOLKS: Last Easter we lost one of the pioneers of Pamunkey Davenport genealogical research (although we did not put the Pamunkey label on it until 1998), namely Dr. Frederick Parks Davenport, of Boerne, Texas. Among his many contributions to Davenport genealogical advancement was Dr. Fred's curatorship of the genealogy papers of Harbert Davenport, Esquire, the earliest systematic scholar of what we now call the Pamunkey Davenports. As I recall Dr. Fred and I both appeared in "Who's Who in the Midwest, 1967, and he wrote me asking for my Davenport bonafides. I replied and we began an intensive genealogical correspondence. Subsequently he and his first wife visited in our home in Cincinnati three or four times thereafter, enroute between Michigan and Texas. In 1971, if I recall correctly, Dr. Fred initiated me into on-site Virginia Davenport research when we met at Spotsylvania Court House and he took me on a tour of Davenport historical sites in the North Anna (north fork of Pamunkey) watershed. We crossed Davenport Bridge from Spotsylvania into Hanover, visited the somewhat ramshackle house that was a shell, Fred said, over the original Martin Davenport, Sr., log manor. I remember taking out my wallet to extract a bill to reward the then owner, whose name I still remember, for his hospitality, when Fred slapped my hand. "Put it back," he commanded. I did so, and attempted no further initiatives of my own. Later, going back across Davenport Bridge, headed for Waller's Church in Spotsylvania, I remonstrated that I was merely going to express my appreciation. "These are simple people," Dr. Fred said, "They're on my payroll, and I don't want them to get bad habits from Damn Yankees." I was not the first that he had given the Old Martin Davenport homestead tour, but I was the first of the family to visit who did not have Confederate credentials. Alas, my grandfather William Asbury Davenport had been a Union man, had served in two Indiana Regiments--with Sherman in Georgia and Sheridan in the Shenandoah, had burned barns and such in both place, and Dr. Fred didn't let me forget it--in a joshing manner, course. Dr. Fred was Superintendent of Schools in Wyandotte, Michigan, at the time, and although Texas born is buried in Michigan. When Dr. Fred died, I appealed to his brother Joe Bob to write a proper obituary for the DAVENPORT Rootsweb. Joe Bob was undergoing serious surgical problems of his own at the time, but agreed that a proper obituary should be posted, and advised that he would write one as soon as his health permitted. Joe Bob is a retired Metropolitan newspaper editor, a far better writer than I and surely the best informed as to his brother's personal history. So, I left the matter in his hands. Joe Bob's health obviously has not permitted, so when Jean, Fred's widow, included Fred's extensive obituary from the San Antonio newspaper as an insert with her Christmas Letter, I decided to wait no longer. Here, slightly edited to eliminate redundancies and to expand abbreviations, is Dr. Fred's obituary: Davenport Dr. Frederick Parks Davenport passed away April 16, 2006, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born December 10, 1916, in Dothan, Texas, to William Frederick and Mary Ewell Johnson Davenport. Fred grew up in Eastland, Texas. Fred volunteered and served in the US Army during WWII. He graduated from Texas Tech with a Bachelor's degree. He worked on a Master's degree at the University of California, and received a Doctorate in Education from Wayne State University in 1967. Fred began his teaching career in Eastland, Texas, then taught in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, 1943-47. He was then an Instructor of Economics and track coach at St. Mary's College in California. He returned to Michigan and became an Elementary school principal in Wanda and Hazel Park. Thereafter he was Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum of the Wyandotte schools for 12 years, then was Superintendent, 1965-78. In retirement, Dr. Fred served on the Michigan State Teachers Retirement Board, with the Michigan School Superintendents Association, and as a consultant to the Michigan Association of School Boards. Fred was an avid reader and extremely knowledgeable in matters involving the Stock Market and Mutual Funds. He was a master storyteller, an avid sports fan, interested in genealogy, and wrote a genealogical column. Fred was preceded in death by his first wife, Frances Josephine Minarik, daughter Sarah Frances Davenport, and sister Maurine McElroy. He is survived by his wife Jean Netcher York Davenport, a retired University of Texas professor; daughter Susan Davenport, a retired teacher, of Auburn Hills, Michigan; brothers--Thomas O. Davenport (Haydee), of Acworth, Georgia, and Joseph R. Davenport (Katheryn), of San Antonio; many nephews, nieces, friends, and colleagues. Fred's funeral was held Friday, April 21, at Boerne, Texas [where Fred and Jean spent his retirement years]. A chapel service was held Monday, April 24, in Flat Rock, Michigan. Interment was in Michigan Memorial Cemetery [along side his first wife and daughter]. -------- Our thanks to Jean, Fred's widow, for supplying the added details in her Christmas letter. Rest in Peace, Dr. Fred. Pamunkey Davenports will forever be in your debt. Joe Bob, you get better, you hear. If any of you old timers have a Dr. Fred story, please share it. John Scott Davenport Holmdel, NJ