One of the hardest working men in Pend Oreille County, Frederick "Fred" Lane Davaz, passed away on June 19, 2021, at the age of 82 at his longtime home in Newport, Washington. Left to carry on his legacy are his wife Gail, his sister Kathy (with husband Harold), his four children Misty (with husband Rick), Bob, Deb (with Ross), Danette (with husband Garth), and 16 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Fred was born July 16, 1938, in Dalkena, Washington, the fourth of five children to parents Carl Davaz and Marguerite Phillips. He and his siblings - Carl, Irene, Joseph (who died shortly after birth) and Kathy - were raised on a 40-acre farm near the Pend Oreille River until the family moved to a ranch south of Newport.

As a young adult, Fred served in the Army Reserves and began what would become a 30-year career working for the Pend Oreille County Road Department. During his tenure, he worked his way up the ladder, eventually becoming foreman - a position he had the honor of holding for many years before his retirement.

Throughout his life, Fred never strayed far from the Newport area. It's where he met his first wife, Darlene Boawn, whom he married in 1958. The two raised their children in a family home overlooking a pond on 13 acres that Fred built from the ground up in the early 1970's. He lived in the home for the remainder of his life, spending his last 24 years there with the second love of his life, Gail Rosenlund, whom he married on Aug. 26, 1997.

Fred spent the better part of 70 years logging and farming, which gave him a sense of pride and fulfillment. Fred always practiced good stewardship; he understood the importance of treating the land with care and respect. When not working, most of his free time was spent outdoors, and often with his family. He enjoyed fishing, hunting in the Blue Mountains, riding horses in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter.

Fred found great purpose in a hard day's work. He liked to remind those around him they were burning daylight, often when there was no daylight left to burn and at times to the chagrin of his children. He was known to be a perfectionist; he liked his fences and plow lines straight, his hay barn stacked up just so. He was as good a listener as he was a dynamic storyteller, and he used his generous spirit to help others and never asked for anything in return. Despite his busy days, Fred rarely missed any of his grandchildrens' birthdays, graduations, or special events, all of which he celebrated with a smile and an infectious laugh.

Those are the qualities Fred's family and friends will remember fondly for many years to come.  Finally, in an effort to shed light on an issue that impacts countless individuals, Fred's family also wishes to acknowledge that he, like so many others, struggled with his mental health off and on throughout his life. We give thanks to those who were there for him when he needed them most.

A viewing will be held 3 to 5 p.m. on July 1 at the Sherman-Campbell Funeral Home at 423 W Second Street in Newport. A service will be held at 11 a.m. on July 2 at St. Anthony Catholic Church at 612 West First Street in Newport. The service will be followed by a luncheon.

Sherman-Campbell Funeral & Cremation Services in Newport is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at shermancampbell.com .