Milton "Pat" Davey, 95
Milton Edward “Pat” Davey
95 years
July 15, 1926 – August 14, 2021
Pat was born in Spokane, Wash., to Milton Alvin Davey of Chesaw, Wash., and Maude Avis Davey of Spokane. They resided in Modesto, Calif., but two months before Pat was born, his father died of tetanus. His mother moved back to Spokane and later married Ralph Wilson of Spokane. Pat’s brother, Don Wilson, preceded him in death.
Pat went to Willard Grade School, then North Central High School graduating in 1944. On Oct. 14, 1944, he enlisted in the US Navy, achieving the rank of EM3-USN. Pat served in the Pacific aboard the USS Grapple ARS7. Throughout his life, he was very proud of serving his country and his time in the Navy.
After WWII, Pat went to the University of Idaho and then Washington State College (WSU), earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1953. He remained a proud Vandal and Cougar throughout his life.
Pat went to work for Kaiser Aluminum in 1953, working in metallurgical research at the Trentwood Plant, then later in production at the Mead Plant. He moved up the corporate ladder, living and working for Kaiser in Tasmania, Australia; Slidell, La.; Ghana, Africa; Oakland, Calif.; Holyhead, North Wales; Ravenswood, W.V.; and Bahrain. Pat became an International Engineering Maintenance Manager, supervising nine smelters worldwide, becoming a designated World Class Engineer while consulting contracts with Kaiser Aluminum, KTD, and Fluor Daniel Corporation/Hatch Engineers in Canada.
After a 29-year career with Kaiser, Pat started Davey Engineering, a consulting corporation that took him to Siberia, St. Petersburg, and Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, as well as China. After that, he became the Solv-Ex Corporation Acting CEO, in Alberta, Canada, then the VP and General Manager of Environmental Products of Idaho in Coeur d’Alene.
Pat had three sons from his first marriage, Theodore (deceased)(Katherine), Timothy (deceased), Michael (Marsha), and Thomas (Jackie). In 1965, Pat married the love of his life, Edith May Davey (deceased). Through marriage, he acquired two more sons, David (Julie) and Daniel (Sandy). Edith and Pat spent forty-eight beautiful years together, traveling the world and living the good life with many close friends and a large extended family. He leaves them behind and his beloved eighteen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren.
Pat’s hobbies and interests included sport fishing in Alaska and British Columbia and spending time at his unforgettable cabin on Lake Coeur d’Alene. He also cherished cheering on the Gonzaga women’s basketball team with his dear friend, Eileen Wells.
Pat earned numerous accolades throughout his long life. He was the President of the Inland Empire chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and a member of the Winter Knights Snowmobile Club’s Search and Rescue group. Pat was a Mason, later a proud Scottish Rite Mason and also a Shriner. He became the VP of the Scottish Rite Language Center from 1997 to 1999, was the Property Manager for the Shriners, the past Director for the Royal Order of Jesters, and worked as a volunteer greeter at Shriners Hospital. He was awarded Shriner of the year in 2007. Pat was also a member of the Slidell Country Club, Ravenswood Country Club, Holyhead Country Club, and the Spokane Country Club. He cared deeply about the Spokane community and worked with county commissioners to establish the Spokane Valley Mission Park, turning an old dumpsite into a beautiful recreational area for all to enjoy.
Over Pat’s final ten-and-a-half years, he resided at the South Hill Village, where he built many close friendships, enjoyed the plentiful social activities and delicious food. He treasured this community and always looked out for his neighbors. Pat will be remembered fondly by all who knew him as a man whose actions expressed his values and priorities.
Family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Angel Senior Care for tending to Dad, to Bill Bennett, for his dedicated hands-on care over the past year, and a sincere thank you to the staff of Hospice of Spokane who cared for Pat in his final days.
Graveside service will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, at Fairmount Memorial Park Cemetery, 5200 W. Wellesley, Spokane, Wash. where Pat will rest with his beloved Edith. Brunch will then be served at a Memorial Gathering starting at 10 – 1:30 at Calvary Chapel at 511 W Hastings Road. Followed by a Cemetery Service with Military Honors conducted at 2:30 p.m. at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, 21702 W Espanola Road., Medical Lake, Wash. These services are public.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 911 W 5th Ave., Spokane, Wash. 99204. Guestbook: www.riplingerfuneralhome.com
