Robert (Bob) W. Davis

Robert (Bob) Wray Davis was born August 7, 1926 in Iowa City, Iowa and joined his wife, Ruth, and parents Lyle Parker and Merle Bernice (Hughes) Davis in Heaven on June 28, 2011. Raised in the Tacoma area, he had lots of fond memories of his childhood with his Davis and Bagby family. Dad always had pets and taught us a high work ethic. He had his first job in the 5th grade and bought himself a new World bike within a year.

Dad entered the Navy one month after graduating from Clover Park High and four days after turning eighteen. He was injured during the Okinawa invasion and was discharged in 1946. He used his GI Bill at attend Oregon State. Dad worked many jobs but remembered most fondly his time as a manager of Pepsi International. In January 1965 he married the love of his life, Ruth. They lived all over the United States, and enjoyed world travel, including living in Iran for two years. Dad loved good food and was an excellent cook. He and Ruth loved to entertain. After retiring from Pepsi, Dad managed three local Yakima businesses, owning two of them. He volunteered for RSVP, Memorial Hospital, North Star Lodge, Meals on Wheels, and the Yakima Visitor and Convention Bureau. He was also a member of Yakima’s Gyro and Rotary Clubs.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife Ruth Davis and his sister Zella Bagby. He is survived by his children Kay Maples of Moxee, Rodger Davis, Anchorage; Tom Kelly, Spokane; and Lynn Davis, Selah; as well as two nephews, ten grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at 4 P.M. Tuesday, July 12, 2011 in the Keith and Keith 9th Avenue Chapel. Due to the nightmare of living with his wife’s Alzheimer’s, Dad requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Alzheimer’s Research in care of Keith and Keith Funeral Home who is entrusted with the arrangements.