TDIII Told Me
Before I Forget...
Stories and conversations with my dad
This site began with a feeling:
Before I forget.
Before the moments slipped away.
Before the sound of my dad’s voice grew faint.
In his final months, I began recording our talks.
Something told me to.
It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
td3toldme.com is a place to hold what he shared—
his voice, his stories, his way of seeing the world.
You’ll find those recordings in In His Own Words.
My dad, Thomas Duane Davis III,
known as TD to many, TDIII to himself,
was thoughtful, creative, and quietly powerful.
This site is my way of keeping his presence close,
so he can still be heard, not just remembered.
Thank you for being here.
– Cheryl
In His Own Words
A collection of voice notes captured during my dad's final months
Dad’s Early Years in L.A.
In this clip, my dad shares many stories from living and working in Los Angeles. He talks about celebrity run-ins, shifting workplace dynamics, and what it was like being Black in spaces that weren’t always welcoming. You’ll hear him reflect on moments with folks like Shelley Winters, Vincent Price, Bobby Womack, and Smokey Robinson, plus a few wild tales about loyalty, addiction, and the everyday hustle to stay afloat. It’s honest, layered, and full of heart, just like he was.
Looking Back at the Shift
In this one, Dad talks about how political parties flipped over the years, and how Black folks went from leaning Republican during the Civil War era to mostly Democratic after the Civil Rights movement. He reflects on the rise of conservatism, Reagan, the Bush years, and shares his take on Desert Storm, Saddam Hussein, and the behind-the-scenes politics we don’t always hear about.
The Real L.A.
Dad reflects on moving to L.A. and the quiet but real segregation he found there, from housing covenants to unequal schools. He shares stories about Nat King Cole, Mayor Tom Bradley, and what it meant to navigate those barriers as a Black man in a “liberal” city.
Before Gentle Parenting
Dad shares stories about Grandma’s legendary discipline (that belt stayed ready), how she supported him through a childhood cancer diagnosis, and the everyday ways she kept the family going. From an accidental wildfire with his brothers Jeffrey and Michael, to jeans starched so stiff they could stand on their own. It’s honest, funny, and overflowing with love for the woman who kept everything—and everyone—together.
Snoring in Full Uniform (Les Heard It Too)
Dad shares a hilarious story about a jetlagged Uncle Deering snoring in full uniform at a Les McCann show—loud enough for Les to notice. From reflections on now-defunct department stores like Akron and Pier 1 to memories of my mom hitchhiking to get me an African doll as a little girl, it’s a time capsule of life in 1970s L.A.
Angels, Surgeons, and an Afro Pick
Dad recounts a harrowing hospital stay following surgery for a duodenal ulcer. After complications left him with a serious infection, he describes seeing light through the window, hearing angelic voices, and feeling his soul leave—and return—to his body. It's a heavy story that he lived to tell.
A Beautiful Exchange
In one of his last recorded conversations, Dad talks with his chaplain, Betty Clark, about art, sound, and the creative path he carved. He talks about raising artistic kids, the innateness of creativity, and how Black creativity has always been undervalued and imitated.
Daddy's Girl
In this final recording, Dad shares the story of the first time we truly connected, when I was just a baby. We laugh about it, but the moment meant a lot to us. He also recalls sweet memories that followed, like taking me to my third-grade father-daughter dance. That love never left. Still hasn’t.
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Your words, like his, are part of the story.