DAVIS, Calif. — The Rev. John Pamperin was known for his work as a campus pastor, labor rights leader, and civil rights activism.
Dozens of local activists, religious leaders, friends and family met at the Davis Community Church for a previously scheduled event, where Pamperin was to be the guest of honor. Pamperin, 83, died peacefully in his sleep just one night before, his family member said.
“Reverend John Pamperin was a great human being who really did a lot for this community,” said long-time friend, Rev. Timothy Malone of the Multicultural Christian Church of Davis.
Pamperin fought for workers' rights in Chicago before settling in Davis, California in the 1960s. He served for years as a campus pastor at the University of California Davis and also worked alongside Cesar Chavez in the fight for workers' rights in Northern California.
Pamperin is perhaps most well-known for heeding the call of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and leading a bus of demonstrators from Davis to the march on Montgomery from Selma. His story was depicted in the 2014 documentary “To March with Martin.”
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