Obituary of Wendell Raymond Davis

Wendell Raymond Davis, 90, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2016 in his home in Lodi, California. He was born on June 4, 1925 in Wagner, South Dakota. Wendell grew up on a farm in Wagner, South Dakota. He attended Ravinia School, and graduated at age 16 in 1941. in Wagner, South Dakota. After high school he attended 2 years of college at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota. At age 18 he joined the US Navy, and graduated from Midshipmen's School in Notre Dame, Indiana in 1945. He was stationed at the US Naval Advanced Base in Noumea, New Caledonia and was honorably discharged from active duty as a naval officer in 1946. He then returned to college and finished his degree in Business Finance. His first job was with the Delano, California School District, teaching 7th and 8th grade. He married Fern Marie Bruget on August 18, 1948 and their honeymoon was a trip to Delano, California where they established their first home. Fern and Wendell would have celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary this year. In 1949 they moved to Manteca, California and Wendell began working towards his Master's in Education at College of the Pacific (now University of the Pacific) in Stockton, California. From 1949 to 1959, Wendell worked for the Ripon School District. In 1959, at the recommendation of Floyd and Elva Dale, they relocated to Lodi, California where Wendell was employed by the Lodi Unified School District initially as a math teacher but ultimately as the Head Counselor at Lodi High School. He retired in 1985. Fern and Wendell built a home on the Mokelumne River. They traveled to Europe, Egypt, Turkey, Costa Rica, China, and the Caribbean. Wendell enjoyed flying and earned his Private Pilot's License at age 40. He was good at fixing and jerry-rigging things. Wendell passed away peacefully at home under Hospice Care on May 3, 2016. Wendell was preceded in death by his son Douglas Davis. His daughter Diane Davis Pendergraft passed away unexpectedly on May 4, 2016. Wendell is survived by his spouse Fern of Lodi, California; His son Jonathan Davis of Lodi, California, and daughter Myra (David) Davis Willingham of Vashon, Washington; his brother Gordon Davis of Sacramento, California; his grandchildren Jeffrey (Megan) Davis, Gregory Davis, Derek Reinelt, and Kaija Reinelt; his great-grandchildren Henry David and Jillian Davis. A combined Celebration of Life for Wendell and his daughter Diane will be held at Heritage Oak Winery on May 29, 2016, from 1-4pm.