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DAVIS, Bruce
Local musician Bruce Davis quietly passed on October 29, 2012, in his Spokane Valley home at the age of 91. He was born September 24, 1921, here in Spokane to Irving and Elizabeth (Drott) Davis. Bruce and his older brother Dick were raised in Spokane, where Bruce graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1939. Bruce attended WSU for one semester before deciding to follow his passion as a musician and applied to the Navy School of Music. The Navy sent him to the University of Washington where he graduated as an officer.
After college Bruce returned to Spokane and began playing in local venues. In 1948 he met Bing Crosby, who caught one of his shows, and told Bruce he thought he could make it in Hollywood. Bruce moved to California and formed the Bruce Davis Quintet, playing in venues across southern California and Las Vegas. Bruce also served as entertainment director for the Hacienda Hotel chain and created his own company, Star-Ads, where he wrote, produced and recorded musical commercials.
He met his wife Patti and they married in 1951. Bruce adopted and helped to raise her two children, daughter Kim and son Scott. Bruce and Patti retired in 1977 and returned to the Spokane area, along with daughter Kim and granddaughter Nicole. Bruce and Patti lived at Newman Lake in Bruce's family cabin that they renovated into a year-round home, until 1999 when Patti passed. Bruce then moved to the Spokane Valley where he shared a duplex with his daughter Kim, who helped care for Bruce as he got older.
Even though Bruce "retired" to Spokane, he remained a working musician. Bruce had a Friday night radio show on KPBX, and continued to play local venues with his bands The Variety Pak and The Dixie Dandies. In fact, Bruce played a gig at the Spokane Club the night before his death.
Bruce is survived by his daughter, Kim Davis of Spokane; son, Scott Davis, and granddaughter, Nicole (Davis) Pippenger of Spokane. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia (Patti) and his brother, Richard (Dick).
In lieu of flowers, Bruce asked that donations be made to the
or SpokAnimal. Bruce did not want a funeral, so the family and the musical community will be celebrating his life at the Sons of Norway, 6710 North Country Homes Blvd, Spokane, WA on November 10, 2012, beginning at 3:00pm. Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments and sit in with the band.
A remembrance of his life will begin at 4:00pm. Music and dancing will continue until 6:00pm.
Published in Spokesman-Review from Nov. 4 to Nov. 5, 2012
