Ned Eugene Davis

Ned Eugene Davis was born January 16, 1925 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Theodore R. Davis and Irene Davis. He attended grade school, 1st through 6th grade, in Cedar Rapids.  Then the family moved to Wenatchee, WA, where he attended 7th through 12th grades. During weekends and summer vacations he spent working in the fruit business.  He was very athletic in High School, playing different sports but his two favorites were football and wrestling. WWII started on Dec. 7, 1941.  Ned immediately wanted to serve his country and as soon as he reached the age of 17, he was accepted into the Reserve US Army Air Corp. After basic training he entered the Pilot Training course, earning his pilot wings.  But his training was not over, he had to earn his Gunnery wings because he was assigned to fly the B-29 planes, which had unprecedented features, it was equipped with a state of the art, computer-controlled remote fire system.  Stationed on Tinian in the Mariana Islands, Ned flew missions in the “Path Finders Group,497 Unit.  After leaving the US Air Force, he returned to Wenatchee and started Jr College. When he took a job at a lumber mill in Oregon, in the Barnes Creek Area.  He met Valetta Gammond and they eventually married in April 1948 and had 4 children.  He worked a year for Standard Oil and then left to start his own business, a Sporting Goods and Service Station and ran that for 2 years.  Then went into Real Estate and was a realtor for 30 years.  He enjoyed selling homes and especially ranches around the Pendleton area.  Ned was also a life member of the Pendleton Elks Lodge, the Pendleton Masonic Lodge and a Shriner.  Though out his life Ned was an avid hunter and fisherman, he especially enjoyed doing these activities with his sons and friends.  He also enjoyed watching his children in their sports and school activities.  Carpentry and wood working was a hobby he enjoyed throughout his life, even making furniture for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in his 90’s. Ned is survived by his wife of 75 years, Valetta, his four children, John Davis, Longview WA, Patricia Gohlke, Klamath Falls, OR, Betty Rae Pappe and her husband, Patrick, Klamath Falls, OR and James Davis, Pendleton, OR; four Grand-children and 6 Great Grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at Burns Mortuary of Pendleton at 2:00 p.m.  In Lieu of Flowers contributions may be made to the Shrines Hospital.  Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in charge of funeral arrangements.