James Wallace Davis

James Wallace Davis-AKA "Torch," 77, of Walla Walla, passed away peacefully just after midnight on February 14, 2023, at Providence St. Mary's Medical Center, with family at his side. Poetically (so his style), this date was also the Valentine's Day wedding anniversary he shared with his beloved wife of 36 years, Shirley Davis.

James was born on April 27, 1945, in Montgomery, AL, the second of ten children brought into this world by Wallace Dale "Dip" Davis and Katherine "Kitty" Strathman Davis. He was preceded in death by his parents, his eldest sister Kathe Davis, and his youngest sister Julia Davis Varble. He is survived by his siblings (in order of appearance) Coralee Drobney, Ben Davis, David Davis, Joe Davis, Candace Davis, Glory Boersma, and Marcy Davis.

James was a multi-faceted and multi-talented lover of all things that moved fast and made music. He was a pilot, a musician, an inventor, a sculptor, a mechanic, a lifelong learner and teacher, as well as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He grew up a "Ramp Rat," working alongside his aviation mechanic father, Dip, AKA "Bird Doctor." In his early years, they both worked at Galt Airport in McHenry, IL, and he earned his flight instructor rating in 1970. In 1974 James went to work selling airplane parts for Cooper Aviation in Elk Grove Village, IL, where he worked until 1998 before moving to Walla Walla, WA, and becoming a beloved member of the local airplane, newspaper, and blues scene.

A regular at local open mics, Torch was a founding member and leader of The Walla Walla Blues Society and a long-time supporter of the organization "Instruments for Kids," gathering, fixing, and donating instruments to local school music programs. He collected and played guitars and was a proud creator of "Torch Tune" Cajons. He also cherished his time as an Eagle Flight Leader for the EAA Young Eagles program with local EAA Chapter 604, Inc. He was always ready to talk airplanes and/or music to anyone and everyone, anywhere, anytime. His cheerful manner, almost childlike curiosity and sense of wonder, and ability to quickly find common ground with pretty much anyone helped endear him to pretty much everyone he met.

Survived by his wife, Shirley Davis, Torch also leaves his three daughters, Michelle Davis Crisanti of Eugene, OR, Kimberly Davis Hitchcock of Waukesha, WI, and Robyn Davis, currently residing near Mt. Shasta, CA. He can be sure that he will be watching over his daughters' children: Trevor and Dylan Crisanti, Winnie and Lizzie Hitchcock, and Declan and Lily Skwarczek, as well as his stepchildren Jill Listermann and Paul Brugh and his three grandsons through them: Zack and Tyler Listerman and Kevin Brugh.

A Mass will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 10:00 am, at Assumption Catholic Church, 2098 E Alder St, Walla Walla, WA, 99362, with a memorial gathering in the hall afterward.

His family asks that, if you are so moved, you make a donation in his name to the EAA Young Eagles or the Instruments for Kids programs through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com .

The family is also planning a more Torch-style musical Celebration of Life to be held near his birthday at the end of April. Details forthcoming. Stay Tuned!