Richard Henry Davis

Richard went to be a member of the heavenly choir on April 13, 2023. he leaves behind many great friends and family. He was loved by many and will be missed, but God said his job on earth was done.

Richard was born in Statesville NC on October 10, 1938 at Long Hospital. he was the first child born to Houston and Elizabeth Davis. Over the years a brother and two sisters were added to the family. He went to school in Statesville and graduated in 1957. He was on the track and wrestling teams. He was also active in Science, Library and Dramatic clubs.

After High School he joined the Air Force as he could not afford college. He traveled the world and taught many men jet engine mechanics. He worked on planes during the Vietnam war and spent 20 years serving his country. He retired at Edwards Air Force base and worked for civil service in quality control on the space shuttle engines. He earned an AS from Antelope Valley Community College where he learned about gold panning. He spent many days in the streams and hills around southern CA.

Right out of the High School he married his first wife, Joan, and they had three beautiful children (Tonya, Eugene and Elisabeth).

While living in Lancaster CA, he met Jeanne Spetter while auditioning for a musical at the college. They were married on June 29, 1985. After Jeanne retired, they moved to Richland WA in 2005. They had 37 wonderful years together singing, RVing, and traveling together.

There was nothing that Richard couldn’t repair. He loved tinkering and there’s a shop full of stuff to prove it. He started his own handyman business after retiring from Civil Service while still living in Lancaster. He loved working on cars building and racing several in his younger days. There is a 33 Plymouth in the shop that never got finished. He also loved to build classic model cars.

He had a great tenor voice and was asked to be a background singer for a Christopher Walker album/CD. He sang in the Sacred Heart church choir in Lancaster CA and Christ the King choir in Richland WA. He loved photography as his grandfather taught him well. He was an avid reader of westerns, adventure, detective and mysteries novels. He traveled the world with his wife making it to all seven continents. He loved people and enjoyed talking about his many adventures while in the Air Force. There was never a person that he wouldn’t talk with. He volunteered many hours at the Richland food bank pushing a broom and stocking shelves until COVID hit.

Along with his wife they joined Tumbleweed Sam’s RV group and traveled all over the Pacific Northwest. He loved to fish and spent many weeks at Curlew Lake fishing and enjoying the many lake friends over the years.

He is survived by his wife Jeanne of Richland WA, brother Larry Davis (Alaina) of Concord NC, sister Martha Addison of Statesville NC, sister Kathy Davis Powell of High Point NC, son Eugene Davis of Solidad CA, son Andrew Pearce (Beverly) of Benton City WA, daughter Elisabeth Davis Seuser (Geoff) of Quartz Hill CA, grandsons Jacob Davis (Karina) of Irvine CA, and Austin Davis (Jessie) of Signal Hill CA, Tommy Michaels of Statesville NC, Tamara Davis of Lancaster CA and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Huston Davis, mother Elizabeth Lyon Davis, daughter Tonya Davis Michaels and grandson JD Michaels of Statesville NC.