Kenneth Verdell Davis

Kenneth Verdell Davis, 84, formerly of North Powder and Wallowa, died July 25 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Visitation was held July 29 at Bonney-Watson: Washington Memorial Funeral Home. A graveside service followed at Washington Memorial Park, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac, Wash.

Kenneth was born May 23, 1929, the third of five children born to Edward Alvin and Henrietta Clementine "Hattie" (Myers) Davis at the family ranch west of North Powder. Kenneth was a grandson of John S. and Susan Dealy Davis, who homesteaded the family ranch in North Powder in 1872, and Sam and Anna (Haynes) Meyers of Union County.

Kenneth grew up in North Powder, spending time with his grandmother on the family ranch. He attended school in North Powder until the 10th grade when he quit and went to work to help support the family. Kenneth was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1943, went through basic training at Douglas, Utah, served during World War II and was discharged in 1945.

Kenneth married Mary Louise Gregory Oct. 16, 1956, in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho.

Kenneth worked for his brother Clayton at a Richfield gas station in Seattle. He was employed by Murphy Brothers Construction until he was injured and was unable to work in construction. He then went on to work for Trusspan in Redmond until he retired in 1989.

Upon retirement, Kenneth and Mary settled on a cattle ranch in Wallowa. There he was a member of the Eagles, Odd Fellows and American Legion. Kenneth and Mary moved to Montesano, Wash., in 2006.

Kenneth enjoyed the country life. He loved fishing, hunting and horseback riding. Most of all he loved his family.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Davis of Montesano; brother, Clayton Alvin Davis of Seattle; children and their spouses, Donna Marie and Terry Mehl, Kenneth Corwin "K.C." Davis, Gregory Edward Davis and David Duane Davis; stepchildren and their spouses, Colleen Sue Rollins, Michael E. and Linda Krause, Patrick Allen and Marilyn Krause and Linda Lee Stauffer; and 19 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Davis in 1964 and Hattie Pearson in 1983; sisters and their spouses, Susie Cecilia and Owen Gorham of Wallowa, Ida Joyce and William Tippett of Wallowa and Jacqueline and Louis April of Baker City; and sister-in-law, Marie Davis of Seattle.

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