Friday, May 17, 2024
Dennis Davis of Surprise, Arizona, passed away in the early morning of January 7, 2023, due to complications of a previous medical condition.
Dennis was born November 8, 1941, to Darrell Davis and Hazel Davis of Iowa. The oldest of four boys, Denny, as he was called by friends and family, was raised in the rural farming community of Bellwood, Nebraska.
Denny attended Bellwood High School, where he excelled in sports, specifically football, where he was quarterback for his six-man team, and basketball. Upon graduation from high school, rather than taking an athletic scholarship, he chose to see more of the world and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served honorably.
While stationed in Hawaii, he met Susan Anderson and fell in love. They were soon married and, upon completion of Denny's service, they returned to Susan's hometown of Edmonds.
Denny worked in construction and became a surveyor for Reid Middleton & Assoc. In the early '70s he was hired to work and manage Edmonds Lumber and Hardware in Edmonds. Denny was a well-known fixture at the store, with many if not most of the locals knowing him and calling him by name.
His family was often amazed at how many people he knew and who recognized him. Denny and Susan raised four children, two boys and twin girls, in the Martha Lake/Mill Creek part of Snohomish County. He was supportive of all his children's activities and was active in coaching youth basketball.
He enjoyed RVing with Susan and spending time with his grandchildren. Susan, his wife of 34 years, passed away in 1998, and left an enormous hole in his heart. Denny closed the hardware store in 1999 and started his new career as a home remodeler.
It was during this time that he met Barbara Turner. They soon started dating, and in 2004 they were married. They continued their life in Edmonds, but after taking a visit with friends to Arizona, they soon moved to Surprise.
Denny continued to do handyman work in the area and developed a reputation as a reliable, honest, and generous businessman. Denny and Barbara bought an RV and joined an RV club and traveled around Arizona and Mexico, and would pull the RV to Washington almost yearly to visit family and friends.
On his last visit to the Seattle area this past summer, he had a joyful time celebrating his grandson's wedding.
Denny was predeceased by his father, Darrell Davis; mother, Hazel Davis; his first wife, Susan Davis; his brothers, Tom Davis (Sue) and Terry Davis (Rose); and daughter, Barbara Davis.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Davis; brother, Steve Davis (Betty); sons, Chris Davis (Julie) and Jeff Davis (Jenesse); daughter, Julie Davis; grandchildren, Ryan, Austin, Riley, Jamison, Josie, and Roman; and many nieces, nephews and hundreds of friends. There will be Catholic Mass and celebration of his life Thursday, June 29 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Edmonds.
