From Lane Co Oregon

DAVIS-Charley W. Davis of Eugene died September 23, 1989, at the age of 85. He was born June 15, 1904, in Springfield, the son of Lee and Lena Davis. He was united in marriage to Fern Swanson on September 9, 1971. He was preceeded in death by his first wife, Mildred Bishop Davis in 1968, and a grandson, Michael P. Davis in 1981. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Gayle and Marilyn Davis; a daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Bob Cluster; one brother, Richard Davis; one sister, Marjorie Fox; one sister-in-law, Ethel Davis; 3 grandchildren; Cathie Davis, Ron and David Cluster; 2 great-grandchildren, Bobby and Crystal Cluster; numerous nieces and nephews. A lifetime Lane County resident, he was a life member of Eugene Masonic Lodge No. 11. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite and the Hilla Temple of the Shrine. He was a life member of Eugene Elks Lodge No. 357 and a member of the First Christian Church. Charley was an enthusiastic hunter, sportsman and gardener and life member of the NRA.

[edit] History

Charley Winston Davis

Dad was born in Springfield, Oregon. He lived his entire life in this area. I remember him saying he lived in Natron, Oregon as a boy and attended Mt. Vernon school. Natron is east of Springfield up Fall Creek Road, which is up the middle fork of the Wilamette River between Springfield and Jasper. Though he received his "Common School Diploma" from Lane County in June 1918, I'm not sure when he moved to Springfield. He did, however, graduate from Springfield High School on June 14, 1922. I have both of those documents.

Dad was not in the military service, but I remember him saying he was in the State Guard. Dad worked for the Eugene Water Board, which is now the Eugene Water & Electric Board. He also worked for the Eugene Creamery before selling life insurance. He sold life insurance for over 50 years. According to his record book, he sold his first policy in 1933, so he must have been about 26 years old when he began his career in insurance. He truly believed in the need for life insurance.

In reference to the move to Springfield, I believe they moved into what was part of the McPherson Donation Land Claim. He and my mother, Mildred Bishop, were married in Eugene in 1926. Mother was born May 6, 1907 in Coburg, Oregon, which is only five or six miles north of Eugene. She died September 17, 1968. She lived here all her life, too.

Dad always looked forward to June, not only because of his birthday, but because the Rinehart Reunion was also in June. I believe he said he only missed two reunions. He often received the "Traveling Trophy" for having traveled the farthest distance, which pleased him very much. Mother kept a large album of pictures and new items about each reunion.

Gayle Davis, Son