In Loving Memory of Gary Davis: 1935-2023

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Gary Arnold Davis was born on Dec. 8, 1935, to Clyde and Beuala (Bee) Davis in Carnation, Washington. He passed away at age 87 on March 12, 2023, in Centralia, Washington. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Marcia Ann Bailey; and son, Johnathon Marsh Davis. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marsha A. (Whipp) Davis; son, Arny (Ellen) Davis Jr.; daughter, Pia (Wayne) Gray; brother, Lynn (Clara) Davis; sister, Joan (Howie) Adcox; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. 

Gary grew up in North Bend, Washington, and attended Mt. Si High School. He worked at the local gas station and his dad’s reload business (logs for export). He married his high school sweetheart “Marsha” in October 1954. After serving in the Army, which included a brief tour in Iceland, he returned home where he and his wife started their family. They settled in Chehalis, Washington, where Gary was a dairy farmer for many years. 

Gary was an avid North American big game hunter, bagging moose, caribou, mountain goats and others. He was able to tag three of the four North American ram sheep. 

During this time, Gary was also able to enjoy one of his favorite pastimes: football. As a season ticket holder for the Seattle Seahawks, he and his family would travel to watch them play in the King Dome for over a decade. 

After retiring from the dairy industry, they spent many summers fishing and camping at Curlew Lake. They were also able to travel the Northwest in their 5th wheel trailer. Eventually, they became snow birds and spent the majority of their winters enjoying the warmer climate in Yuma, Arizona. 

After the 2007 flood destroyed their home in the Boistfort Valley, they moved to Napavine, Washington. In his senior years, Gary enjoyed watching football and old western movies on TV.