HOOD RIVER – Former Hermiston teacher and Blue Mountain Community College professor Garth E. Davis died from complications due to congestive heart condition on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, at Providence Hospital in Hood River. He died on his 66th birthday.

A memorial gathering will be held at his home and vineyard this spring.

Mr. Davis was born Jan. 24, 1942, to Earl L. and Velma A. Bunnell Davis in The Dalles. He graduated from The Dalles High School in 1960. He attended Oregon State University and graduated in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education. He earned his master’s from OSU in 1968 also in agriculture education.

He married Mary Ann Pauline on May 31, 1980, in Pendleton.

Mr. Davis was an educator. He was an agriculture, FFA and industrial arts teacher at Hermiston High School; the District Vocational Education Coordinator at the Umatilla County Education Service District; director of the Small Business Development Center at BMCC; a member of the Umatilla County Youth Auction Committee; and provided small business education to members of several American Indian tribes in Oregon and Washington.

He also was an eclectic entrepreneur having owned and operated a pizza parlor, a donut shop/motel, a livestock supply store and a pet store. He manufactured livestock equipment, sheepskin clothing, raised sheep, grew specialty garlic and, in his final years, established a vineyard between Dallesport and Wishram, Wash.

He and his dog, Squeeki, were awarded a national Planetree Therapy Animal Award and they were active at MidColumbia Medical Center in The Dalles.

He is survived by his wife; daughters Elisabeth Davis and Melinda Davis of Portland; Melissa Norquist of Jacksonville, N.C.; son Scott Davis of Portland; brothers Neil Davis of Marcola and Dennis Davis of The Dalles; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to FFA and 4-H.