Ralph Davis

November 3, 1929, Ladysmith, Wisconsin ~

June 10, 2011, Hillsboro, Oregon

Ralph Wayne Davis was born to parents George W. and Carrie B. (Starbard) Davis on November 3, 1929 in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. The family moved west to Hillsboro, Oregon in 1937 when Ralph was 7 years old. Ralph attended

school in Hillsboro.

In 1944, Ralph made a trip Montana to visit family on his mother's side. It was in Luther, Montana that he met Betty Burkhardt. They exchanged wedding vows on October 1, 1946, in Columbus, Montana. In 1949 they returned to Oregon where Ralph worked on the railroad and the family lived in Cochran near Timber Or.

From 1951 to 1964, Ralph and Betty lived in Tillamook where they operated a shake mill and manufactured roofing materials on the Trask river. In 1964, they moved to Hillsboro and Ralph began his career as a heavy equipment operator. He was employed by Loy Clark Pipeline. Ralph retired in 1992.

Ralph will be remembered as a person that really loved people and the Lord. He enjoyed time spent with his workmates, his many friends, and especially his family. Ralph truly cherished his time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

It has been said that he was born 100 years too late. He always wore his cowboy hat. He loved the Rodeo. Ralph had a great affinity for the Old American West and he collected many items and special artifacts from that era.

In his younger years, he enjoyed many hunting trips with his brother. He belonged to WBCCI Air stream Club and traveled many places with Betty and their friends, air stream trailer in tow. He built birdhouses for fun and custom trailers with a family friend, Fred Evensen, and loved to attend garage sales, buy and trade treasures and special items, and was a "collector of all things".

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents George and Carrie Davis; sons Captain Dennis E. Davis and Charles G. Davis; brothers Vernon and Leland Davis; and a sister, Thelma Schneidewent.

Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Betty; son, Les Davis; daughter, Danita Davis; brothers Melvin, Eugene, and Allan Davis; grandchildren, Ralph W. Davis II, "RW", Tami Foelker, Tim Davis, Monique Crunelle, Jeff Boomhower and Stephanie Moe and great-grandchildren, Paige, Libby, and Kacie Foelker, Ethan Crunelle, Makayla Davis, and a loyal pet Donkey named Jackson.

Ralph will be privately laid to rest in Skyline Memorial Gardens in Portland, Oregon.

Friends, family and guests are invited to attend a celebration of life for Ralph on Saturday June 18th starting at 1PM at The Hideaway in North Plains. Please contact a family member or Les and Pamm at 503 647-5766 if you need directions. Please bring your special story about Ralph to share.

Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be made to Providence Hospice Center 1235 NE 47th ave. Suite 148, Portland Or. 97213.

Please visit the online guestbook located at this internet memorial. Please return to this site for updates to Ralph's story in words and pictures.

Arrangements under the direction of Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Portland, OR. (503) 292-6611