Russel Edwin Davis

December 22, 1913 - January 25, 2009

RUSSEL EDWIN DAVIS On Sunday, January 25, 2009, our loving father, Russel Edwin Davis, passed away at his home in Medford, OR. Russel was born on December 22, 1913, in Detroit Lakes, MN., to Smith Alfred and Della Davis. At the age of 13, he and his famiy moved to Oregon, finally settling in Medford, where he met and married Evelyn Eleanor Mills on August 11, 1935. During WWII, he joined the Navy Seabees in 1942, serving his tours of duty in the Aleutian Islands and the South Pacific until his honorable discharge in November of 1945. In 1948, Russel and his wife and daughter moved to Phoenix, OR., where he built a home and "The Phoenix Variety Store" which they ran for 13 years. He served on the Phoenix City Council and was responsible for the installation of the first street lights in the city of Phoenix. He also served for many years as a volunteer fireman. Russel was a very talented individual who could create, build, repair, or invent just about anything. He had a loving personality and great sense of humor. In 1970, he and Evelyn and their daughter, Sherry, flew to England where they met their son, Rick, and toured many countries throughout Europe. He worked at Padgham Glass and Millwork and then worked for the Medford School District for 27 years. After retirement, Russel and Evelyn made several trips touring the U.S. and Canada, enjoying all the scenery and many tourist attractions. He loved camping, traveling, restoring old cars, working in the yard, and most of all, he loved his family! His later years, after our mother's passing, were spent watching the birds in his garden and his passion for old western movies. He is missed and loved more than he could ever know. Russel has three children, Dixie Negless, Rick Davis, and Sherry Rowberry, all of Medford, OR.; two grandchildren, Michelle and Ryan Davis, of Medford, OR.; three step grandchildren and four step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn, his parents, and eleven brothers and sisters. The family wishes to express their profound gratitude to Renee' Endreola, his caregiver and friend, for her loving care and devotion to our father. A memorial service is planned at Memory Gardens on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 2:00 p.m., officating will be Pastor Garland Shinn. There will be a reception held at Memory Gardens immediately following the service.