Stephen Turner Davies was born on January 8, 1967 in San Francisco to Sally and James Davies. He died suddenly and unexpectedly of a pulmonary embolism on May 17, 2021. He was 54 years old.

Steve’s early days and most of his childhood were spent playing in nature in Woodside, California. He loved animals, bugs and the great outdoors. Steve spent several years in New York with his mother and stepfather. He attended Buckley School and then later, in Connecticut, attended Salisbury School. He played lacrosse and ran track while at boarding school. After high school he went to UC Berkeley, where he graduated with a BA in anthropology and psychology. He went on to the New College of California, where he got his law degree, finally ending up in Eureka.

His first legal case was working to compensate the families who lost their homes to mud slides due to clear cutting. After Maxxam, owned by Charles Hurwitz, took over Pacific Lumber, massive cutting began. That was a successful case, and got Stephen integrated into the Humboldt community. He used to run the fire trail on Pacific Lumber property and talk to Julia Butterfly Hill while she was living in a tree protesting clearcutting and raising awareness for the need to save our existing forests.

Among the many volunteer efforts that Steve took on was wearing his scuba gear and counting the salmon when they swam up stream to spawn. Humboldt Mediation Services used his computer expertise to keep their office equipment running smoothly. He also designed their logo. Much of his ongoing legal work was to help those who could not afford to pay an attorney.

Steve had many hobbies — drawing, painting, writing, kayaking in Humboldt Bay, riding his bicycling around Eureka, and woodcrafting, but by far his favorite activity was playing disc golf and traveling to compete.

Stephen had a wide group of friends in Eureka and loved the community and his life there. He was at home in Humboldt. He had found a place where he could be true to himself and give to others. His cat and long-time companion, Gato, is still living in Eureka on C Street with his former landlord.

Stephen is survived by his mother, the Rev. Sally Bingham, sisters Sarah Davies Tilt (Whitney) from Bozeman Montana, Jennifer Davies from Ennis, Montana , Alison Davies of Los Angeles, and brothers, Matthew Davies (Liz) and Wheelock Richard Bingham (Elinor). His stepmother Patricia Davies lives in Ketchum, Idaho. His father James died several years ago.

Stephen had three nieces and three nephews. A celebration of Stephen’s life will be held on September 4th, Saturday at Benbow Historic Inn at 2 p.m.

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