From Ocean Beach Historical Society:
“Read the Book Before You Fly ‘Em”, By Karen Scanlon – Thurs. Oct. 19, 2017 at 7 pm at P.L. United Methodist Church, 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., O.B.
Point Loma’s Jack Allen Davis, Jr. wanted to fly airplanes. And fly ‘em he did! This high-flying speculator bought and sold World War II surplus aircraft with daring competence. Jack was a local boy who learned to fly at age 14 with Gibbs Flying Service. “Old Bill Gibbs turned me loose on an old Piper Cub,” Jack bragged. Flying drama, to be sure, but Jack also left a history mark as Shelter Island began to take shape in the early 1950s. He built and operated Red Sails Inn and later, Palomar Airport. Come and hear more about this adventurous fellow, and enjoy photographs of his airplanes and zest of the San Diego waterfront.
Karen Scanlon is a freelance writer, historian, and early childhood educator who writes extensively on the maritime history of San Diego, particularly of Point Loma Lighthouse and the explosion aboard USS Bennington. In other directions are her published works in children’s curriculum, and stories about people. She is a volunteer at Cabrillo National Monument and works with her twin sister, Kim, tending the Fresnel lenses in its collection. The two co-authored a book titled Lighthouses of San Diego. Karen is a contributing member of La Playa Trail Association and Maritime Museum of San Diego, and the proud recipient of The Martha Washington Medal awarded by the Sons of the American Revolution.
As for Jack Davis, we became good friends as I gathered his life story for publication. Jack died in 2006.
