Gerald (Jerry) Wendell Davies
August 29, 1935 – September 29, 2021.
It is with great sorrow and sadness that we share the loss of Gerald Davies - beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and well-known Eureka City Schools music teacher — on September 29, 2021, in Eureka.
Gerald Davies (“Jerry” to most, Papa to his family) was born on August 29, 1935. He graduated from Arcata High School in 1953, where he met the love of his life, Elanore Schmitt —a love that led to a lifelong marriage beginning in 1956. He continued his education at Humboldt State College, pursuing music education and then taught music for the next 35 years at Eureka City Schools.
In 1963, Jerry built their home in Jacoby Creek, where they ultimately raised their four children. While raising his children he built a summer home in Hawkins Bar, commonly known as the “18-Side Round Home.” Then in 1990 he built their Willow Creek retirement home, where Jerry enjoyed planting and harvesting an amazing garden. His homegrown “Ginormous” pumpkins were a huge hit in his grandkid’s kindergarten classrooms. He also spent many years teaching his grandkids his incredible skill of woodworking. Both he and Elanore were avid San Francisco Giants fans, and seldom missed watching a game together until she passed in 2018.
He leaves behind his four children: Sandra Lane (Kevin), Karen Lorenzo (Tim), Jean Batini (Charley), and Eric Davies (Amy); as well as six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Jerry will be most fondly remembered for his passion of music, which he shared with others, including his dance/band group, comprised of his music-teaching, music-loving cronies. Music truly was his passion — so much so that he always had his fingers tapping to a beat he was hearing, whether he was listening to music playing in his head, or the music on the show he was watching on tv. He will be greatly missed by the many lives he touched in his 86 years.
No services will be held at this time. Instead his family will celebrate his life with a small family gathering in the Trinity Alps at a future date, to honor his last wishes. Special thanks to Hospice of Humboldt for his end of life guidance and care, and to Eric and Amy Davies for their countless hours of love and care. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorial contributions be made to Elementary Music Trust Fund c/o Business Services, Eureka City Schools 2100 J St. Eureka, in honor of this music teacher’s passion, or to Sequoia Humane Society - 6073 Loma Ave, Eureka
You will forever be remembered as The Music Man – “76 Trombones led the big parade with a 110 cornets close at hand.”
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