Don and Eunice Davis Oral History Interview

In this interview, Don and Eunice Davis discuss their family backgrounds, their childhoods, and how they both ended up living in Oregon. At the outset, Don talks about his parents, siblings, and the work he did on his parents' farm when he was young. Eunice also talks about her childhood on her family’s farm and describes the chores that she helped with. Don then provides an overview of his experiences during World War II, after which the conversation turns to the Davis’ marriage and their children. They discuss raising their children in western Oregon, and describe the activities their children participated in, specifically horseback riding and cattle raising. Don then describes the logging industry and the logging projects he participated in over the course of his career. The interview concludes with a discussion of the different loggers Don worked with and the properties he managed.

Don Davis was born in 1922, in Corvallis, Oregon. He grew up in Blodgett, Oregon, a member of a large farming family. In 1943, shortly after graduating from high school, he married Eunice May. The next year, he enlisted in the Navy and served until the conclusion of World War II. Don was a timber feller and log truck driver for most of his career and remained interested in the Oregon logging industry after his retirement. He and Eunice lived on a 32-acre farm near the Alsea Highway for 42 years before moving back to Corvallis in their later years. Don passed away in 2016.

Eunice May was born in 1923 in Alpine, Oregon. She grew up in a large farming family and began working on the farm when she was very young. She graduated from Philomath High School, and married Don Davis shortly thereafter. They had four children together, three daughters and one son. She passed away in 2018.