DAVIS, Kenneth

DAVIS, KENNETH EDWARD

JULY 1ST, 1942- JULY 3RD, 2018

Ken’s family announces with great sadness his death on July 3rd at the Andy Moog Hospice Center in Penticton, B.C.

Ken was born in Fort Macleod to parents John and Eva Davis.

Ken is survived by wife Sandra of 53 years, son Wayne of Toronto and daughter Bonnie of Vancouver. Also survived by sister Kay Legrandeur and brother John (Barbara). Nephews Dan, Cary, Cam Legrandeur and Tim, Mike, Luke Davis and their families. Uncle Ken was loved by his nephews. He made them laugh and they all have happy memories.

At a young age Ken left home to make his way in the world. He began his work life as a salesman for a magazine publishing company, a job that would take him across Canada, to the British Isles and eventually to South Africa. He was a natural born salesman and could sell ice to an Eskimo!

Starting in sales he eventually had his own crew; recruiting and managing sales people.

It was in Durban South Africa where he met Sandy on a blind date, they fell in love and married. They had 2 children shortly after, Wayne and Bonnie, who were born In Johannesburg. After 25 years and political unrest during Apartheid, he and Sandra decided Canada was a better opportunity for the family. They packed up kids, their possessions, their cat, and boarded a Greek freighter ship in Pretoria which took them a month to get to New York, then a train to Shelby Montana, Grandpa John picked them up and took them to Alberta.

From there Ken and Sandy drove to the Okanagan looking for a house. On their way to Kelowna, they happened upon a quaint small town named Peachland, saw a for sale sign and stopped. They bought the house right beside a creek close to the lake, and started a new life, where they have lived in the same house since 1977.

Ken’s philosophy was hard work made one successful! He was an avid entrepreneur and started several businesses. He was successful in the insulation business and the underground garden irrigation business. He was his own marketing manager as well as hands on doing the work. He owned an apartment building in Penticton for the last number of years which kept him busy with repairs and maintenance, and plenty of drama!

In retirement his passion was golf, he loved to play poker, and was a darn good snooker player.

He was a wonderful, caring, kind man and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held in Peachland at the Legion on July 15th from 1-5pm. Please bring stories, photos and poems of inspiration.