Baker City, Oregon
Joseph “Pat” Davis, 77, of Baker City died April 23, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Health Services after a two-year battle with cancer.
His graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Mount Hope Cemetery. The Rev. Susan Barnes of the First Presbyterian Church will officiate. Ritualistic rites will be accorded by the Baker Elks Lodge, No. 338. Visitations will be until 7 o’clock tonight at Coles-Strommer Funeral Home, 1950 Place St.
Mr. Davis was born on March 17, 1924, at Portland to Joseph and Mary Davis. He grew up mainly in Baker City and graduated from St. Francis Academy. During World War II, he served in the Merchant Marines on a T-2 tanker, delivering aviation fuel to Allied forces in the South Pacific.
In 1947, he met Margaret Nation in Portland. They were married on June 20, 1947. Shortly after they married, they moved to Baker City where he began working for the Union Pacific Railroad as a mail plier. During his career he held different jobs with the Union Pacific and retired as the Baker City agent.
He was past exalted ruler and a life member of the Baker Elks Lodge, past president of the Baker Lions Club, a member of the Baker Lodge, No. 47, AF&AM, and a member of Esther Chapter, No. 11, Order of Easter Star.
In 1959, Mr. Davis was the Democratic district chairman for the Elect John F. Kennedy for President Committee. He was instrumental in having Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy visit Baker City. They spoke to a full house at the Baker Community Center.
The story is told that Mr. Kennedy was a bit late getting to the Community Center because he and Mr. Davis and a couple of other people rode in Mr. Davis’s orange Plymouth station wagon to do some politicking. Mr. Davis attended the 1960 Democratic Convention in Los Angeles where John F. Kennedy was nominated as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate.
Mr. Davis enjoyed hunting and fishing during his younger years, but what he really enjoyed was traveling around the country seeing new sights and making new friends. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his children, Patrick M. Davis and his wife, Diane, of Baker City, and Daniel Davis of Baker City; his brother, Thomas “Don” Davis and his wife, Peg, of Ben Lomond, Calif.; his sister, Beatrice Plant of Indiana; two grandchildren, Jeremy Davis and Emily Davis of Baker City; numerous nieces and nephews; and the Miriam Higley family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Mary Davis; his wife of 43 years, Margie; his sister, Ellen Marie Badley; a niece, Jackie Badley; and a nephew, Joe Badley.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pathway Hospice though the Coles-Strommer Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: The Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, April 30, 2001
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor