Delbert Davis

Delbert Davis, 87, succumbed to pneumonia complicated by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis on Sunday, October 11, 2009.   Del was born in Toppenish, WA to Dave and Bessie Davis, the eldest of their four children.  The family moved to Port Angeles, WA where Del graduated from high school in 1940.  He joined the Navy in 1941 after a short stint as a choke setter in a logging camp.  He served with honors, promoted to the rank of Chief at the age of 21 while with the Marines in the Marshall Islands.  He was subsequently attached to the 4th Marine Division in charge of a group of corpsman during the invasion of Saipan, Tinian and Roi-Namur. His military career kept his family on the move over the years with duty stations in California, Washington, Connecticut and finally Hawaii.  After his retirement from the Navy he began his career as a real estate broker, passing both his salesman and broker exams in Hawaii at the same time.  Eventually he worked as a broker in Hawaii, California and Washington states.  Del returned to Washington to live in 1973 and got his real estate sales and broker licenses while completing his AA degree at Olympic College.  He sold real estate, built houses and developed property here and in Oregon until 2005, his 83rd year. Del was a generous man, never too busy to help, with a cheerful nature and fun sense of humor.  He cherished and provided for his parents, stepparents and in-laws until their deaths, lending his strength to those that age and disease had weakened.  He was always busy, always had a project and could do anything.  He has left his mark on the world, not only with those he influenced and left behind but with homes he built and properties he developed. Delbert’s passing has left a huge void in the lives and hearts of his family.  His wisdom, courage and love made him a model to us all; his wealth of knowledge always freely shared.  His attitude was a guide to living life with honor, integrity and good humor.  It is an impossible task to try to sum up the life of this outstanding man in a few short paragraphs.  Del has left the legacy of a loving and devoted family and the fond regard of many friends and relatives who knew him.   Del is survived by his wife, Bobbie, and four wonderful sons: Daryl, Larry, Chad and Matthew Davis.  Grandsons Joshua (Lisa) and David Davis, Jonathan Schmidt and Michael Stasiak; great granddaughters, Annika and Kianna Davis.  Also surviving him is his brother Harley (Lillian) and many loving nieces, nephews and extended family.  He will be forever missed by them all. A celebration of Del’s long and well-lived life will be held on November 15, 2009, 1:00 p.m. at the Bremerton Elks Lodge.