David A. Davis

Monday, June 8, beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather David A. Davis died.

He was born May 17, 1920 in Wilson Creek, to Albert Bradley Charles Davis and Oma Gilman Davis.

He passed in his sleep in Des Moines, Washington after a short stay in a rehabilitation facility before joining his bride of 71 years Betty at Auburn Meadows Senior Living.

Dave met Betty Phillips when he was in the 9th grade in Lind and Betty was in eighth grade.

They graduated together from Lind High School in 1939.

Dave attended what is now Eastern Washington University for a short time before moving to Renton to work for Boeing. He was drafted into the Army in January 1942 during World War II whereupon he served in Alaska until being shipped to the Philippines prior to planned (proposed) invasion of Japan.

During his time in the service Dave was awarded the Philippine Liberation medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the WWII Victory Medal.

During a four-week leave between assignments Dave and Betty were married on January 29, 1944 in Lind.

After safely returning home, Dave and Betty moved to the farm in Lind where they raised six children.

In addition to being a lifelong farmer, he was an active member of the community and served on the School Board. He achieved the title of Master Mason after serving 50 years. Dave was a member of the Eugene Kirby American Legion Post 190 for at least 62 continuous years.

He was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star. As a Shriner, his local chapter rode mini-bikes in parades. Dave also helped to identify children of need for the Shriners Hospital.

He started his own business designing and building air-conditioned cabs for farm equipment. Where there was a need, Dave saw and created a better solution.

He designed vehicles for safer, more efficient operation on the farm. He built a specific truck to help lift heavy equipment while also designing a special truck for more effective servicing, fueling and repair of equipment in the field. He was a master fixer for friends and family, be it electronic or mechanical.

Dave built his own Ham radio and erected 80-foot towers to operate his own station K7MCB, capable of chatting with people around the world.

In later years, Dave and Betty trailered extensively with close friends.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years Betty, daughter Sue Ellen Johnson (Norma Dalla Santa) of Newcastle; Richard Davis (Shanon) of Lind; Penny Delaunay (Norman Hansen) of Brier; Dixie Davis of Newcastle; and Priscilla Weaver (Reid) of Monroe.

Preceding Dave in death was youngest daughter Shannon Hentges and grandson Jackson Weaver.

Dave and Betty have 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, June 17 at 1:30 at the Lind Community Church.

In lieu of flowers remembrances can be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Spokane, 911 W. 5th Ave. Spokane, WA 99204.