Darrell E Davis

Darrell was born July 5, 1943, in San Francisco, CA to Jerold and Neva (Benberg) Davis. After spending his early years in San Mateo, CA, his family moved to Napavine, WA where he grew up and graduated from Napavine High School.

As a child, Darrell loved raising cows and caring for other animals on the little family farm. He was an active high school athlete, participating in nearly every sport offered. Legend has it, that he played part of an 8-man football game with a broken leg.

He married Karen Curtis (now Franzen) shortly after graduating from high school and together they had 3 girls. He later married Lee Karr to whom he was married for nearly 35 years until her death in 2013.

Darrell was employed by Longview Fibre Company from which he retired as a foreman in 2004, after 40 years of service.

Darrell was always very physically active throughout his life. Golfing was a great love of his and he treasured the friendships of his golfing buddies who gathered at least weekly. After retirement he stayed fit at the Longview YMCA and valued the friendships he had there. Until his dementia began to limit his mobility, he could be seen walking “The Lake” daily and many may have witnessed him doing up to 400 incline pushups on the picnic benches during his walks. He furnished an incredible woodworking shop and created many beautiful pieces for family and friends.

Darrell was a lifetime member of the Elks. He donated gallons and gallons of blood as a blood donor. For a time, he served as a President and member of Board of Directors for the Cowlitz County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) organization.

Darrell enjoyed traveling. He traveled to Hawaii many times. He enjoyed an annual trip SCUBA diving in the Bahamas for nearly a decade. Most recently, Darrell was fortunate to experience an Alaska cruise with family in 2018.

He is survived by three daughters, Kelly Lash (Kurt) of Richmond, VA; Tracy Moore (George) of Longview, and Tasheena Reiber (Tim) of Port Hadlock, WA; 7 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren; stepdaughter, Bethany Martin (Steve), and siblings: Dianna Cummins of Fort Morgan, CO; Debbie Fuqua of Chehalis, WA; and Don Davis (Sue) of Canby, OR.

The family would like to express gratitude to the wonderful administration and especially the staff at Canterbury Inn Assisted Living and Memory Care for the exceptional care Darrell received. They are also grateful for the wonderful care of the Peace Health Hospice staff.

A graveside service will be held, Monday, June 24 at 10 AM at Longview Memorial Park, 5050 Mount Solo Road in Longview. Immediately following, a reception will be held at the Steele Chapel hospitality room at the same address. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Darrell’s name to the American Red Cross, the Lewy Body Dementia Association or a charity of your choosing.