Joshua Blake Davis

Joshua Blake Davis (Blake), 18, was warmly embraced by a long legacy of family gone before, on Monday, September 5, 2022.

Blake was born October 29, 2003, to Patrick and Elizabeth (Boatright) Davis, in Bethesda, Maryland. Blake was at once little brother to protective, loving Seth, two years older, with whom he loved to play and make mischief. Blake and Seth were special buddies and playmates growing up. Two years after Blake was born, his beautiful sister Claire joined the family, and 1.5 years later, darling, determined Andrew completed the family.

Blake and his family moved several times, settling in Walla Walla in spring of 2017. Blake loved his experience at Walla Walla Valley Academy, graduating in June 2021, and loved some very special friends and teachers there. We, as his family, are so grateful for the community of WWVA and the blessing they have been for Blake.

As we reflect on Blake’s life and who he was, almost 19 years of beautiful memories wash over our hearts. His beautiful smile. The way he liked to walk around “wearing” a blanket. How he played tender music on the piano. How he always seemed so tenderly aware of you, his heart quietly tracking yours all the time. He was a deep well of compassion. Always observing and quietly lifting those around him. How he would hold his mother’s hands. How he had such beautiful hair, and he loved his hair. His set-apart, classy and handsome sense of style. The way he would quietly surprise his mother by loading and unloading the dishwasher and saying nothing about it. His brilliant mind. How he would always rescue any little insect or spider. His robust, extensive vocabulary, and how he cared so much about using the right word to convey his meaning. His perfectly paced, careful word choice and his patience in explaining the instructions of the game he created, Operation Beige Forest. He created this game recently with half-inch soldiers, game pieces made from the wooden part of match sticks, a grid map for the board, and an instruction manual modified several times. The way that he would play piano music at his father’s request and how it brought great peace to his father to sit and listen. How he would speak so gently to help a family member who was anxious or distressed. How he loved cheese so much. How he loved tea, England, all things properly British. How he loved Mr. Bean and Wallace and Gromit. He had beautiful penmanship, was left-handed, and loved to write in cursive. How he laughed at his mom’s puns and wordplays, joining her in the play. How he’d surprise people with his witty, endearing sense of humor. How he loved goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, and sour gummy candies. How he loved the ocean. He was a good friend. He liked to observe the activities of ants closely. He read some dauntingly large books, like the Count of Monte Cristo. How he loved and cherished his Lego creations as a child. How he loved cardigans. How grateful he was for his grandmother helping to mend one of his favorite cardigans. How he liked to wear fingerless gloves. How he was very aware of others’ emotional states, specifically, how he was highly attuned to his mother’s feelings. How kind he was. People who knew Blake knew kindness. How much he appreciated details in everything, whether it was clothes, a watch, a leaf, or insect, he found beauty in everything and in people. He knew where to find beauty.

Blake’s beautiful soul is carried on here by his mother, Elizabeth (Boatright) Davis, his father, Patrick Edward Davis, his brother Seth Edward Davis, Seth’s girlfriend Trinity Bunch, his sister Claire Elizabeth Davis, and his brother Andrew Jacob Davis; his grandmother Tina (Beppe) Davis, his grandfather Steven Ryan Davis, his grandmother Miriam Hawkes Boatright, his grandfather Allen Blake Boatright, and his great grandfather Dennis Garmann, and to so many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, friends, and more family, too numerous to list but forever remembered in our hearts.

Now our hearts are torn. We miss him more than words can express. We believe he has found beauty, peace, and love in the arms of departed loved ones, our heavenly parents, and our Savior, Jesus Christ. We know of no better hands than Jesus’ own pierced hands to hold him at this time.

Viewing and visitations will be Sunday, September 11, 2022, from 3:00-5:00 pm, at Herring-Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, and 10:00-10:45 am on Monday, September 12, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1821 S. Second Ave, Walla Walla with the funeral service following at 11:00 am.

Donations may be made to the Christian Aid Center or a charity of choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. Guests may sign the guest book at www.herringgroseclose.com.