Monday, September 17, 2007

If you haven't been told, John passed away in the early morning of Sunday, September 16th. The following is the obituary that will run in the Goldendale Sentinel, Methow Valley News, The Columbian (out of Vancouver, WA), and the Longview Daily News. The memorial services are listed at the end, and if you're reading this, you're welcome to attend.



In a quiet Vancouver neighborhood, in the early morning of Sunday, September 16th, Dr. John T. Davis lost his long battle with cancer, and those of us he left behind know we have lost a great man. He will be remembered and respected as a father, a teacher, a historian, a collector, a smokejumper, and a friend. From Neah Bay, Washington to Storrs, Connecticut, John left a legacy as a man among men. Long after we are gone the American Museum of Radio and Electricity in Bellingham will proudly display his world famous Edison lightbulb collection, a high school library in Hockinson bearing his name will remind its patrons of the man who brought their school to life, and hundreds of his former students will pass on the wisdom, generosity, and work ethic that he imparted to them with every lesson.

John was born in Winthrop to Richard (Slug) and Joy Bell Davis February 26th, 1947. He graduated from high school there in 1965, and after a near-catastrophic smokejumping injury in 1966, he went on to Eastern Washington University to achieve a BA and Masters in Education. His degrees and hard work eventually led him to Goldendale, Washington, where he became the principal of Goldendale Middle School. An admiring teacher introduced him to Sheila Catterall, who he married on the eve of the Mt. St. Helens explosion in 1980. Ever ambitious, John, Sheila, and their four children moved to Storrs, Connecticut in 1982. It was an adventure around every corner in the northeast, literally and figuratively, as John and Sheila spent nearly every weekend exploring the twisting back roads of their new home, filling the trunk of their little Ford Falcon with antiques from Maine to Maryland. In the spring of 1985, Mr. Davis became Dr. Davis, graduating with a PhD in Education from the University of Connecticut.

Armed with this new documented proof of his intelligence and hard work, Dr. Davis moved to Kelso, Washington where he served as the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for 9 years. From there he moved on to a Superintendent of Schools position in a sleepy little K-through-8 district in Hockinson, Washington. That school board didn’t know what they were in for when he took over that front office, until 6 years later, after negotiating with and impressing the Gates Foundation, Hockinson High School was born. The school is a work of art. From the biology books to the basketball hoops, it represents the vision Dr. Davis had for a quality educational institution. John retired from Hockinson in 2001, and this past September 13th, the school dedicated the beautiful new library to him.

John is survived by his children, Damon (Sabrina) Hess of Portland, Tobin (Gladys) Hess of Seattle, Mignon (James) Heggen of Missoula, Montana, and Carson (Nicole) Davis of Vancouver; his grandchildren, Ethan, Owen, Madeleine, Miles, Nathaniel, Quinn and Piper; his sisters Charlotte Davis of Seattle, Carolyn Longanecker, Cindy Davis and Lori Davis Bailey of Spokane; his brother Rick (Kathy) Davis of Everett, Washington; nephews Don Waller, Sam Longanecker, Skyler Longanecker, and Daniel Swartz; niece Joy Longanecker; and cousins Willie and Donna Kemper of Twisp, Washington and Don and Betty Milam of Bothell, Washington.

John was preceded in death by his parents Richard (Slug) and Joy Bell Davis of Winthrop and his grandparents Foster and Cora Davis of Winthrop and Frank and Ruby Pemberton of Winthrop.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, September 25th at 7:00 at Hockinson High School Auditorium at 16819 NE 159th St, Brush Prairie, Washingtion and Sunday, October 14th at 2:00 at The Barn in Winthrop, Washington. John requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation at 1-800-757-2873 or www.prostatecancerfoundation.org. Arrangements are by Evergreen Memorial Garden (360-892-6060) in Vancouver, Washington.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

A charmed week in Bend...

We got home from Bend yesterday to cloudy skies and wet streets. It's been a long time since Missoula has seen rain and we could feel the relief percolating up from the hard ground. It felt like change was in the air, appropriate considering the weekend events.

Carson and Nickie's wedding was gorgeous. The ceremony was blessed by the last-minute arrival of John, and the reception was full of happy people, great food and the sweet newlyweds who couldn't stop smiling. We all thank Carson and Nickie for the work they put into making it such a happy event. (By the way, Madeleine's favorite part, after her solemn duties as the grim-faced flower girl, was the "Fight Game" going on in the lower field. Nickie, the biggest boy - maybe a second cousin of yours? - was a sweetheart and let her beat up on him a little. She cried when we had to leave.)

John's attendance at the church was a surprise to many, considering his health in the few days leading up to the wedding, and we are all thankful to his brother Rick and good friends Tammy and Rick for helping make it happen. In addition, a sincere thank you to our long-time family friend, Paul, for providing care to John during and after the reception. John's toast was a beautiful part of the reception, his words true and heartfelt. He spoke as if he'd been rehearsing for months, the quality and coherence of his speech were as if he'd just stepped in front of a audience of thousands. It's a skill we all know he possesses and one that has diminished none with the changes in his health.

I'm sorry to say I don't have any photos from the event, so if you are so inclined please e-mail me your favorites and I'll post them here.

As always, think good thoughts - John could use them now.

BBQ Photos

Here's a belated view of the festivities in Winthrop in early July. John again hosted a party along the Methow at his friend, Jean's, property. The food was delicious, the attendance wopping, and the beer cold.























Thanks John, wouldn't have missed it for the world!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

This just in from Cali...

Hello from Palm Springs,

It has been many years since I have last seen or talked to you John, but I do hear regular updates from my parents Willie and Donna Kemper. I want to thank you for helping my parents transition from their life long home in Ridgefield to their new home and lives in Twisp. It was a hard move for my Mother and I know she appreciated having you nearby, a feeling of Ridgefield. She has since adjusted to life in "The Methow" and quite possibly has thrived by the change.

Thank you again for your continued friendship, I know Mom and Dad cherish it and I appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Mark Kemper

(Thanks for the note, Mark - how about sending along a picture? I haven't seen you in, um, 20 years? -Mignon)

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Health Update, Week of July 9

As most of you know, John is battling a case of Prostate Cancer. He is spending most of his time at home, where he lives with his son Carson, and Carson's fiance Nicki. John has a Home Care assistant with him during the day to help out with daily activities. If you have a chance to stop by for a visit, please call the house first at 360-573-3316.

Thanks.

Tobin


Also, John writes:

Hello everyone and thank you for making me the next cyberspace superstar. I may not be feeling the best today, but I'd like to thank everyone for their support through this time. It makes me happy knowing I have such wonderful friends and family.
Love,
John

The Life and Times of Dr. Davis from the Methow

Hello and welcome! If you're reading this, you're either a great friend of John's or a family member (AND hopefully great friend of John's). If you are neither of these, please be aware that the movie rights have already been purchased and we've either got Barry Bostwick or John Larroquette cast in the starring role. So no thievery!

We've started this site as a place to keep up with John (or try, at least), and his stories and his condition. If you'd like to contribute a story, photo, anecdote or any such thing, you can e-mail this site at friendsofjohndavis at gmail dot com. OR, if you see down below this post where it says "comments," you can click that button and type away until you've spilled all the beans.

Keep checking back and we'll try to update you all as frequently as possible. And don't forget - we need more material for the movie!