Graden Leo Davis

Graden L. Davis was born October 28, 1948, and suddenly passed away July 22, 2020, after a brief stay at North Lincoln Hospital. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Carol Stenzel, along with his sisters, Carol Patrick and Eva Alexander, his nieces, Maureen Patrick, Brenda Hammock, Debbie Posthuma and Susan Moore and his nephew, Steve Moore. He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael Alexander. Seventy-one years ago, Graden was born to Irple Davis and Iris Sittser Alexander in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, where his father, Irple, was stationed in the Navy. Graden's family moved a lot in his early years, and he acquired his love of fishing in Bermuda. Graden put down roots after reaching Oregon, graduating from Rex Putnam in Milwaukie in 1967. Graden met his wife, Carol, in 1972 at the restaurant in Troutdale where they both worked. He was a shift manager and she was working part time while attending local college. Professionally, Graden was multitalented and versatile, and he had a long, varied career. For the 17 years preceding retirement, Graden owned Multi-Office Services in downtown Portland. Graden had a lifelong passion for the outdoors. He took great pleasure in his beloved 10-acre farm near Boring, where he lived from 1979 to 2012 with his wife, Carol. Together they happily worked on their property, where they built a quarter-acre pond and raised many types of animals throughout the years (e.g., ducks, geese, turkeys, horses, goats and rabbits), along with the usual assortment of dogs and cats. Eight years ago, Graden and Carol moved to Lincoln County and loved living on Devil's Lake. As an avid fisherman and hunter, Graden enjoyed the coastal life. He loved ocean fishing most of all, and even being capsized off the Tillamook Spit by a rogue wave in 1988 did not keep him off the water for long! Twice in recent weeks he had been on successful halibut trips. Graden had been coming to the Lincoln County area for many years before he learned that his mother's family lived in Lincoln City in the early 1900s. His grandfather, Gerald Sittser, and his uncle, Gerald Sittser, Jr., were both publishers and editors of some of the first local newspapers in the county. Graden's grandfather started the Beach Resort News, and was the editor from 1933. He took over control the Newsguard (that still exists today) from 1940 until 1944. Graden's uncle was the publisher and editor of the North Lincoln County News, prior to leaving the area in 1947. Later in life, Graden discovered that he also had a keen interest in rockhounding, and he was a long-time member of the Clackamette Mineral and Gem Club. His most prized find was a 242-carat red sunstone crystal. He enjoyed digging sunstone in the Plush area, as well as traveling to Colorado many summers to dig with friends. Graden loved helping people and had a life-long commitment to volunteerism. In Lincoln County, he volunteered and met many good friends at North Lincoln Elks, Lincoln City Senior Center, Beachtown Charities Thrift Store, Coastal Carvers and Panther Creek Senior and Community Center. Graden and Carol were married for 32 years, and together for 48. They had no children. Graden was a loving husband, and both knew they were lucky to have found their one true love. There will not be a service. Anyone wishing to donate in Graden's name may do so to the Panther Creek Senior and Community Center in Otis, or to another charity of their choice.

Tributes

Graden Leo Davis

October 28, 1948 - July 22, 2020