Jerry Coleman Davis

Jerry C Davis was born on September 16, 1933 to Helen and Bert Davis. He lived his life his way. He could be charming, stubborn and strong. His Dad was a pharmacist and owned a drug store across the street from where Jerry was raised. It was unusual for married women to work in this era but Helen helped out at Bert’s drug store. When it became busy Bert would push a button and it would ring at their house and Helen would walk over and help out. When Jerry got old enough, he’d deliver prescriptions for his Dad to people that couldn’t come to the store. The plan for Jerry was to follow in his Dad’s foot step of becoming a pharmacist and eventually take over running Davis Rexall Drug Store when his Dad was ready to let go of the reins.

In Jerry’s style, he started college to become a pharmacist but found business more to his liking. When attending Oregon State, he was introduced to Ardie Colgrove and shortly after they were an item. He married her in August 1955 and they were married 64 plus years. Jerry took care of Ardie, in later years, as her Alzheimer’s continued to get worse. It was touching to see the kindness and love he showed her during this time. In his last 7 months of his life, he missed having Ardie live with him but she was close by and she lived with their son Eric and Margo.

After graduating college, he fulfilled his ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) and was stationed in Germany. This was a place to start new beginnings. He met lifelong friends and had many fun adventures with them. The first Beagle, Charley Brown, became part of the family there and the Davis VW Bug family was born when he brought a VW bug back to the US.

He loved cars and worked in the industry for many years to come. Family was important to him and he worked to provide for them. He was unconventional in his time; he wanted his wife to work outside the home and she did.

When his wife, Ardie, wanted to adopt a child, they started the process of getting ready for this. In 1963 they adopted a boy and named him Eric. Two years later after coming home from an Oregon State football game with Eric, he said to Ardie “it’s time to adopt a daughter” and I (Katrina) joined the Davis family in February 1966.

Dad liked to save money and be frugal in different ways. One way he did this was driving old VW Bugs around Portland. They were inexpensive to buy and drive. Eventually we all drove them and the family was referred to as: “The VW Bug Family.”

Dad enjoyed traveling, driving his traveling car (he loved his “Cad’s”) watching storms roll in at the coast, chatting with friends and participating in organizations.

While Dad’s health was slowly declining, I wanted him to know how I felt about him. Don’t get me wrong we said “I love you” although it was what’s beyond this, I wanted to share with him. Here are somethings I learned from my Dad:

The importance of family and heritage. The sharing of family stories and the love of family. Taking care of business, finances and being there for each other.

In Dad’s unique way he loved, cared and was there for me and I am glad he was my Dad and a part of my life.

Throughout his life Jerry made many friends who remember him fondly.