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Obituary

John E. (Jed) Davis, 56

Copper Center resident and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Superintendent John E. (Jed) Davis, 56, died Monday, April 3, 2006, in Anchorage, Alaska, with his family at his side.

Davis was born in El Paso, Texas, on July 28, 1949. He grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich., and graduated from East Grand Rapids High School in 1968. He attended community college there and worked as a respiratory therapist in East Grand Rapids.

Davis then moved west, beginning a 35-year career with the National Park Service. He began work as a seasonal employee at Grand Canyon National Park in 1971, becoming a permanent employee in 1974, working as a carpenter and a plumber. His family remembers, "Jed spent much time working on the cross-canyon pipeline, spending time in the canyon he loved so much, repairing leaks in the line that supplied water to facilities on the South Rim of the canyon."

Davis and his wife, Nancy, lived and worked in 11 national parks while raising their family. Davis' career included positions of increasing responsibility at Yosemite, Mount Rainier, Capitol Reef, Glen Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Isle Royale and Glacier Bay National Park. He was named superintendent at Wrangell-St. Elias in 2004.

The family remembers Jed was passionate about fishing and was fortunate to always live near great fishing. He taught his three children to fish and they carry on the tradition. Jed and Nancy always counted their blessings, realizing how fortunate they were to be able to live and raise their family in America's most wonderful, natural places.

Davis is survived by his wife, Nancy, of Copper Center; son and daughter-in-law Ben Davis and Maria Pederson of Gustavus, Alaska; son and daughter-in-law Abe Davis and Heather Coletti of Anchorage; and daughter Bethan Davis of Juneau. He is also survived by his mother, Bette Vicari of Fayetteville, N.C.; brother and sister-in-law Richard and Chuckie Davis, also of Fayetteville; brother Bob Davis of Huntsville, Utah; and sister and brother-in-law Diane and George Kuckenbacker of Harpers Ferry, W. Va.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Jed Davis Memorial Fund, in care of the Alaska Natural History Association, 750 West Second Ave., Suite 100, Anchorage, Alaska, 99501-2167.

A "Celebration of Life" memorial for Jed Davis will be held on Sunday, May 21, at 1:30 p.m. at Grand Canyon. Nancy, Ben, Abe, Bethan and their families invite you to attend. The location is at 84 Yaki residence near the South Kaibab Trailhead off the East Rim Drive. Please drive around the barricades on Yaki Road and turn left onto the road to the South Kaibab Trailhead. As parking is limited, shuttlebus, taxi or carpooling are recommended. Beverages and refreshments will be served. Please let the entrance station know that you are here for the Jed Davis memorial. Rooms are available at the Red Feather Lodge (800-538-2345, ask for Linda for $90 room rate) or the Grand Canyon Quality Inn and Suites (928-638-2673, ask for Lydia, Michelle or Ann, for $80 room rate). These rooms are available Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21. Please mention the Jed Davis memorial to the hotels when making reservations.

For more information, contact Suzanne Davis or Jim Weatherill.


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