DONALD DAVIES

DONALD DAVIES

Donald Miller Davies, 84, of Green Valley, passed away Oct. 31, 2017. Born in Philadelphia, Don was the second of three children born to Hubert and Helen Miller Davies. He is survived by his sons Ed (Amy) and Chris (Jen), his brother Hu, sister Carolyn, and three grandchildren.

From 1953 to 1956 Don served in the Army Signal Corps as a radio operator in Germany. In 1958 he married Chase Coleman of Dayton, OH (mother of both sons); they divorced in 1970. Don married Joan Solem in 1975; in 2014 Joan divorced Don. Don maintained good relations with both Chase and Joan, and played a significant role in his sons' lives.

In 2015 Don came to know Linda Martin, whom he described as "my once in a lifetime love." A year later, Linda developed rapid onset memory loss. The fortitude, grace and equanimity with which Don bore this terrible heartache was simply amazing.

In 1959 Don graduated from Clarkson University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. A highly talented engineer, in 1959 he designed the world's first transistorized heart monitor, measuring just 4 inches by 4 inches by 4 inches, using state of the art miniature electronics. Blessed with the patience of Job, penetrating insight, and a questing intellect that thrived on challenges, Don could manage and troubleshoot virtually anything.

Don kept busy in retirement volunteering for, among others, Habitat for Humanity, the White Elephant, and worked with local students sharing his engineering knowledge. He belonged to the Green Valley Amateur Radio Club and the Tucson chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.

Don was a recovering alcoholic for his last 38 years. He was tremendously devoted and committed to Alcoholics Anonymous. He drew great strength from A.A., and faithfully returned it in kind.

Don died from a combination of pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema. An optimist to his core, he never gave up or gave in, maintaining a positive, hopeful outlook to the very end. "Gentleman Don" was a good man, an inspiration, and a source of strength to all who knew and loved him.

Don dearly loved Green Valley and deeply enjoyed his relationships with his many friends. A memorial service will be held Friday, Nov.24, at 10 am at the Green Valley Mortuary in Sahuarita, Arizona.



This obituary was originally published in the Green Valley News & Sun.