Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
POSTED ON Tuesday, March 29, 2011


Gale Davis
April 21, 1933 - March 26, 2011

Gale Daniel Davis was born in Dayton on April 21, 1933, to Lily and Earnest Davis. His grandparents homesteaded on Davis Hollow. He was the sixth of seven children, which included five sisters (Maxine, Margaret, Della, Bernice and Elnora) and a brother (Ernie). He also had three half brothers, Loren Spoonemore, Wayne Spoonemore and Ray Davis. He lived his entire life in Dayton except for a couple of years spent in the Army during the Korean War. He graduated from Dayton High School in 1951 and in 1952 he married his high school sweetheart, Janice Hall, daughter of Lola and Ura Hall of Dayton. Together they raised their three children Lynn, Sheila and Scott. In 1955, he went to work for the Green Giant Company and there spent the next 39 years until his retirement in 1995.

Gale was a man of many sayings and expressions, some of which actually made sense and many of which can't be said here. He could spin a story and color it with words that were used totally out of context (some not even actual words) and yet the story made sense. He relished bantering and friendly competition with friends. From a game of cards to a round of golf, friendly wagers followed with occasional nose rubbing and colorful dialog were some of his favorite pastimes.

He had his share of opinions about most things and if pushed you'd get them delivered with the elegance and finesse of a hand grenade. Agree or not, you came away knowing full well where he stood. Gale treasured his friendships and enjoyed the time spent furthering those relationships.

He loved the outdoors where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, mushrooming or just going to the mountains. He had friendly competitions with several other locals on who was going to find the first mushrooms of the season followed closely by who could find the most. He was an active community member and served as a Little League coach, youth basketball camp coach, Dayton School Board member, City
Council member and mayor, Columbia County Search and Rescue volunteer, Columbia County Ambulance volunteer, City Park Board member, Dayton Days president, High School Booster Club president, Touchet Valley Golf Course president and Green Giant Company Citizen of the Year.

Gale is survived by his wife, Janice Davis, at their Dayton Avenue residence; children, Lynn McCaw (Guy) of Waitsburg, Sheila McMillen (Joe) of Dayton and Scott Davis (Becky) of Spokane. "Poppa" loved his grandchildren, Amber and Jesse McCaw, Jamie (McMillen) Allen, Shannon Lewis, Madelyn, Griffin and Liza Davis; and his great-grandchildren Anissa, Tucker, Caden, Madison, Evan, Dillon, Monroe and Katy. He is also survived by siblings, Della Blain, Bernice Daggett, Ernie Davis and Elnora Belcher; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lily and Earnest; siblings, Wayne and Loren Spoonemore, Ray Davis, Maxine Winnett and Margaret Abel.

Gale died March 26, 2011, at the Dayton General Hospital. A private graveside service will be held Friday, April 1, 2011, followed by a gathering at the Dayton Eagles at 1 p.m. Those who wish may contribute to the Dayton High School Alumni Assoc., P.O. Box 314 Dayton, WA 99328; Walla Walla Community Hospice, 1067 Isaacs Ave., Walla Walla, WA 99362; or the charity of the donor's choice through Hubbard-Rogg Funeral Home 111 S. 2nd St. Dayton, WA 99328.