Tommy "TK" Davis

Obituary for Tommy “T.K.” Davis

September 23, 1945 - October 4, 2026

Tommy “T.K.” Davis passed away on October 4, 2026 at his home in Saratoga at the age of 81 surrounded by family.

Tommy was born on September 23, 1945 in Chanute, Kansas, to Donald Davis and Mildred McKee. He was the middle child preceded in death by his older brother, Dean, and younger sister, Dawn. At the age of 7, he was diagnosed with polio and spent months in the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. True to his spirit of survival, he would often joke that if he could fight polio, he could survive anything. His father was a traveling jewelry salesman, so they often moved. He spent most of his school years in Dallas, Texas and called himself a “true Texan.” His family moved to Palo Alto, California, his senior year in high school. He graduated from Palo Alto High in 1963. He served in the United States Airforce for 4 years where he discovered his love of law enforcement. He came back home and took classes at De Anza College and earned a degree from San Jose State University.

He was hired as a deputy by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office in 1970. His work with the Allied Agencies Narcotics Enforcement Team (A.A.N.E.T.) as an undercover narcotics officer was one of the highlights of his career. He was promoted to Sergeant and Lieutenant before moving to the Department of Corrections. He ran Elmwood Women’s Jail and retired in 2000 as a Captain. His 30 year career in law enforcement was varied and impactful.

Tommy’s law enforcement career had a big impact on his family. His son, Todd, is a sergeant for the Morgan Hill Police Department. His son in law, Todd Trayer, is a retired Captain from San Jose Police Department and currently Chief of Police for Carmel-by-the-Sea. His granddaughter, Audrey, is majoring in Criminal Justice at Boise State. These examples are just some of the legacy of the hard work ethic, a great sense of humor, and Tommy’s drive to mentor his family have left for our community.

After retirement, Tommy worked as a private investigator, with a case that included investigating UFO allegations that made national news. He was known for placing bets at the horse races and was a Reno regular who could be found hanging out in the sports book. The family has many memories of Reno trips that included family table games, comedy shows, steak dinners and entertainment. Tommy knew how to throw a party and hosted many family celebrations in the backyard of the family home, with 4th of July and Superbowl being his favorites. Tommy loved barbershop quartet music and hired different groups to perform at parties. He loved his friends and had a regular group that met on Monday nights.

Tommy is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marylou, and 4 children. Together they built a loving family: Amy (Todd Trayer), Todd (Lucia), Ryan (Hilary), Kalyn (Gatis Skele) and seven grandchildren: Nathan, Audrey, Karina, Thomas, Travis, Makena, and Beau.

He was very proud of his children and their families and would often say, “We are so lucky to have such a wonderful family.” Family dinners, holidays and celebrations were important to him. He was always telling stories and making his family laugh.

Tommy will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, friend. His legacy will live through his family.