Harry Eugene (Gene) Davenport
January 26, 1942 – July 4, 2023

Where do I begin? I guess at the beginning of my journey:

I was born and raised in Eureka. I went to Marshall Elementary, Eureka Junior High and Eureka Senior High School. I had a paper route when I was young and later worked for my Dad who was an Exxon jobber and also owned Davenport Marine. When I was old enough to work, I drove truck delivering fuel to local gas stations (Humboldt & Del Norte) and worked on the Davenport Marine docks fueling fishing boats and selling product in the store. Thankful for my opportunity at the family business. One of my passions and hobbies was hot rods and spent time hanging out at Red’s Rod Shop as a kid. Of course, the guys gave me the nickname “Pube” since I was much younger. After becoming of age to drive, I got my own hotrod and went to the drag strip to race it. Man, I loved that speed. I was a member of the “Heaps” car club. We had great camaraderie and also got into some mischief.

I met my wife Joyce at her cousin’s wedding practice in July of 1961, where we walked down the aisle together as usher and bridesmaid. We were the ripe old age of 20 and 19 when we married the following January 27, 1962. We moved to Redding the following Labor Day, (whew it was hot). I went to Shasta Junior College for a time and worked for Standard Oil and then for Lytrell Welding Supply. I bought my first ski boat with a 4-cylinder outboard motor on it. It worked fine BUT not enough speed and upgraded to an inboard boat that was a monster. It pulled four single skiers at a time. I felt like top dog.

Our daughter, Jill, was born in January of 1967 in Redding. In April of that year, we moved back to Eureka and in December of 1968 our daughter Joy arrived. I went back to work at Davenport Marine. In my off hours I bought fixer uppers to renovate and sell, hopefully for a profit. I also partnered with Tom Farr to build a townhouse complex and with Ben Carroll to build a four-plex – hard work but man I loved it. Looking for my own thing, I studied Real Estate and received my license. At that point, I left Davenport Marine for a new venture and experience to sell real estate.

I worked for Coldwell Banker Cutten Realty for 36 years. There was 12 months during that time (1989) that I had the opportunity to manage, with the option to buy, a wire rigging shop in Kodiak, Alaska. That was some experience as the Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound just happened; I became an expediter of goods for the oil clean-up. Busy Times! Kodiak was a tough sell for me and Joyce, certain times of the year it seemed like the sun never went down or never came up – after that year we came back to Eureka for “normal” sun-up and sun-down!

My love of hot rods and speed never abated. I started acquiring old cars to renovate as show cars. I did some of the work and farmed out what was not of my expertise. From 1999 through 2021 we traveled to car shows in Washington, Oregon, and Nevada and of course numerous in California. When the cars were fresh new builds and in inside shows, we trailered them. After having them awhile we drove them, to the shows, more fun that way. We joined Redwood Vintage Rods car club during this period. Made good friends and traveled to many rod runs.

NASCAR was another favorite of mine. SPEED. We traveled to two Championship races in Phoenix with our friends Vic and Dolores Blanc. Whoa what fun we had. Also had Race Day get togethers at our homes, with a little betting on the side. J

I was a member of NSGW Humboldt Parlor #14 in Eureka for 13 years. What a great group of guys. We put on some great dinners at the Parlor and enjoyed cocktail hour to the fullest.

My life was full of love, laughter, travel, and fun times. My grandchildren kept me busy going to their sporting events year-round – I loved watching them, they were great athletes! Skylar gave us two great grandsons, Kayce and Kane, boy were they fun. They gave me such joy and pleasure. We actually babysat them twice a week, imagine that! I was so blessed to have them in my life. My one regret is that I won’t be voting in the 2024 elections to do my duty as a patriotic republican. Those of you who know me best know where my vote would have gone.

“HAPPY DAYS” – Gene

Gene was preceded in death by his daughter Joy and his parents Bob and Midge Davenport. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joyce, daughter Jill (Joe) Rice, grandchildren Skylar, Taylor (TJ) and Mackenzie Rice; great grandsons Kayce and Kane Rice; granddaughters (by choice) Helen Houx and Lauren Schrimsher; sister Janis Erickson and family, his aunt Dorothy Orford and many cousins.

Thank you to all of Gene’s friends and family who came by to visit with him. He so enjoyed the conversations, laughter, and reminiscing. A special thanks to Kevin Christie (our rock) who was here am and pm when needed to help; to George Smoker, The Coldwell Banker Cutten Realty family and countless friends who filled in the gap when I needed to run errands.

Thank you to the Hospice team of caregivers. They were so compassionate and caring and were able to respond in kind to Gene’s sense of humor. They were wonderful.

Please save the date, Sunday, July 30, 2023, for Gene’s Celebration of Life to be held at the Moose Lodge, 4328 Campton Rd., Eureka, California from 12 pm – 5 pm. BBQ lunch/dinner will be served. Those of you “hot-rod’ers” please drive your pride and joy to the event. We will have room for a hot-rod display at the entrance of the lodge – Dad would love that!

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