James Walkden Davie
“Magnificent!”
That was James Walkden Davie’s favorite description of anything he considered outstanding. But “Magnificent” also describes his globe-trotting life.
He was born in England, in 1932, and during World War II, like so many English children, was sent to live in the countryside to avoid the London Blitz.
After the war, at age 15, he apprenticed to the British Merchant Navy, in a training program that allowed him to continue studying regular school subjects, but also learn to be a member of the ship’s crew.
He climbed masts, polished a lot of brass and swabbed a mean deck. He traveled the world, eventually working his way up to getting his Second Mate license. That sense of feeling comfortable anywhere in the world never left him.
A degree in Chemical Engineering brought him back on land, but didn’t quench his wanderlust. He worked as a technical manager for customers of Alcoa, the international aluminum company. He visited customers in Asia, Africa, Australia, the Caribbean and Europe, and was eventually based in Lausanne, Switzerland.
During a stint in Richmond, Indiana, he met his wife, Terri, who followed him around the globe.
On any given Sunday, he would treat his friends to one of the countless recipes he brought back from his travels, Nasi Goreng from Indonesia, Veal Zurichoise from Switzerland, or Shepherd’s Pie from his birthplace, collected by the hundreds and lovingly kept in a three-ring binder.
An avid reader, if he liked an author, he collected everything they wrote. He was a welcome asset to any trivia team, fielding geography questions with ease because, no surprise here, he had been there.
Alcoa eventually moved him back to Pittsburgh and he became a resident of Washington. The first thing everyone noticed was that he never lost his lovely English accent.
Echoing his love of reading, he served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Citizen’s Library, often anchoring their team in the Rotary Trivia Contest.
He was a wonderful actor, and was cast in a starring role when Little Lake Theater needed an authentic English accent for their production of GASLIGHT.
He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Terri; two beloved sons, Jim and Alan; two beloved daughters, d’Arcy and Janet; and three granddaughters, Gaiane, Sacha and Kaytee.
His brother, Bob, predeceased him.
All services were private, and entrusted to the Hummell & Jones Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington, Douglas M. Jones, supervisor.
Donations in his name may be made to The Friends of Citizens Library.
Online condolences may be left at www.hummellandjones.com.