Raul Davila, of Vancouver, Washington, passed away on June 8th, 2025. He passed away from natural causes at the age of 94.
Raul was born on March 12th, 1931, in Saginaw, Michigan, to Jesse and Sarah (nee Duran) Davila. His siblings included three sisters, Ninfa, Josephine, and Lydia (Lillian).
Shortly after graduating from high school, he joined the US Marine Corps in 1948. After Basic Training, he was deployed to Korea at age 19, where he served with the First Marine Division during the Chosin Reservoir Conflict. After returning home, he suffered from frostbite on his feet and legs from the minus-40-degree temperatures at the Reservoir. Raul was an excellent competitive swimmer, giving up dreams of the Olympics to serve in the Marine Corps. Raul also served a 13-month tour in Vietnam, where he was an engineering draftsman building bridges.
He met his wife, Betty, shortly before he left for Vietnam in 1968. They had a long-distance romance, exchanging letters and audio tapes with each other on an almost daily basis. The recordings and letters still exist. They met twice during R&R breaks, both times in Hawaii. The second trip, they got married and enjoyed a 57-year-long marriage.
During the time of his enlistment, Raul was a Drill Sergeant and later became a USMC Recruiter. After serving 23 years in the Marine Corps, he retired at the rank of Staff Sergeant. After his time in the Corps, he was then employed by architecture firms and the Civil Service with the Army Corps of Engineers. He was involved in the clean-up efforts for the aftermath of the Mt. St. Helens eruption. He received many awards and certificates for his work, both in the military and the Civil Service. During that time, he attended college, getting an AA from Clark College and a BA from Evergreen State College.
In 1982, Raul received an opportunity to transfer to Germany for two years. He and Betty saw much of Europe and have photo albums full of snapshots of their life there. Time in Germany was cut short by the tragic and untimely death of their 20-year-old son, James. They decided to move back to Vancouver to be near family and friends.
Raul enjoyed bowling, golfing, dancing, water skiing, keeping his yard tidy, playing cards (mostly Pinochle) with friends, and playing the machines at casinos. Earlier, he was a Little League coach for his son's baseball teams. Both he and his wife were devoted donors to many organizations. He was a member of The Chosin Few, The American Legion, 40 et 8, and The Marine Corps League. He and Betty enjoyed taking extended RV trips and saw the vast majority of all the lower 48 states. They also experienced a few cruises.
Raul is survived by his wife, Betty of Vancouver, WA, Daughter Lydia (Alfred) Lievanos of Ontario, CA, and Daughter Janet (Bruce) Sherrell of Vancouver, WA. Sister Lillian Tijerina of Montebello, CA, close Nephew, Richard (Rosa) Velasquez of Moorpark, CA., five grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Irene and Josefine, and sons John and James Davila.
Marine, Son, Brother, Uncle, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, and Friend.
A life well lived.
Raul is laid to rest in the Garden of Time at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Vancouver, WA.
Raul was born on March 12th, 1931, in Saginaw, Michigan, to Jesse and Sarah (nee Duran) Davila. His siblings included three sisters, Ninfa, Josephine, and Lydia (Lillian).
Shortly after graduating from high school, he joined the US Marine Corps in 1948. After Basic Training, he was deployed to Korea at age 19, where he served with the First Marine Division during the Chosin Reservoir Conflict. After returning home, he suffered from frostbite on his feet and legs from the minus-40-degree temperatures at the Reservoir. Raul was an excellent competitive swimmer, giving up dreams of the Olympics to serve in the Marine Corps. Raul also served a 13-month tour in Vietnam, where he was an engineering draftsman building bridges.
He met his wife, Betty, shortly before he left for Vietnam in 1968. They had a long-distance romance, exchanging letters and audio tapes with each other on an almost daily basis. The recordings and letters still exist. They met twice during R&R breaks, both times in Hawaii. The second trip, they got married and enjoyed a 57-year-long marriage.
During the time of his enlistment, Raul was a Drill Sergeant and later became a USMC Recruiter. After serving 23 years in the Marine Corps, he retired at the rank of Staff Sergeant. After his time in the Corps, he was then employed by architecture firms and the Civil Service with the Army Corps of Engineers. He was involved in the clean-up efforts for the aftermath of the Mt. St. Helens eruption. He received many awards and certificates for his work, both in the military and the Civil Service. During that time, he attended college, getting an AA from Clark College and a BA from Evergreen State College.
In 1982, Raul received an opportunity to transfer to Germany for two years. He and Betty saw much of Europe and have photo albums full of snapshots of their life there. Time in Germany was cut short by the tragic and untimely death of their 20-year-old son, James. They decided to move back to Vancouver to be near family and friends.
Raul enjoyed bowling, golfing, dancing, water skiing, keeping his yard tidy, playing cards (mostly Pinochle) with friends, and playing the machines at casinos. Earlier, he was a Little League coach for his son's baseball teams. Both he and his wife were devoted donors to many organizations. He was a member of The Chosin Few, The American Legion, 40 et 8, and The Marine Corps League. He and Betty enjoyed taking extended RV trips and saw the vast majority of all the lower 48 states. They also experienced a few cruises.
Raul is survived by his wife, Betty of Vancouver, WA, Daughter Lydia (Alfred) Lievanos of Ontario, CA, and Daughter Janet (Bruce) Sherrell of Vancouver, WA. Sister Lillian Tijerina of Montebello, CA, close Nephew, Richard (Rosa) Velasquez of Moorpark, CA., five grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Irene and Josefine, and sons John and James Davila.
Marine, Son, Brother, Uncle, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, and Friend.
A life well lived.
Raul is laid to rest in the Garden of Time at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Vancouver, WA.
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