Eugene "Gene" Robert Davis

Eugene “Gene” Robert Davis was born on September 18, 1945, at the naval hospital on the Farragut Naval Base, which is where his father Nathan was stationed during World War 2. The family moved to the small town of Etna, Wyoming, where Gene spent the rest of his childhood. Gene loved growing up in Wyoming, where he spent many hours hiking, hunting, and fishing.  

Upon his graduation from Star Valley High School in 1964, Gene spent 2 years serving a mission in Chicago for the LDS church, served in the U.S. Army, and spent 2 years at Ricks University in Idaho. It was at Ricks College where he met his first wife Katherine Smith, who he married in Logan, Utah in 1967. Gene and Kathy were married for 21 years and had 7 children together.

In February of 1971, Gene enrolled as a Border Patrol Agent in San Diego, California and entered the 99^th training session of the Border Patrol in in Los Fresnos, Texas.   He was assigned to his first duty station at Chula Vista, California upon graduation from the U.S. Border Patrol Academy and served there for 6 years. In 1977 Gene moved to Washington State and transferred departments to become an immigration inspector, then later as a Criminal Investigator based in Seattle.   After a few years, he transferred back to the Border Patrol and was assigned to Bellingham, WA and later Blaine, WA. Gene had a distinguished career within the Border Patrol, earning the roles of Patrol Agent in Charge, Assistant Chief, and Deputy Chief Patrol Agent in charge during his time there.  He was also called to testify before Congress on multiple occasions due to his expertise on border security. Gene retired in January of 2000 after 29 years of service. He loved his time in the Border Patrol and developed a great respect for each of his fellow agents.

Following his retirement from the Border Patrol, Gene spent parts of the next 15 years working around the globe for U.S. Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, and government contractors, leading courses on Border Security practices. Some of the notable places he served in that role include Georgia, Pakistan, Albania, Nigeria, and Guatemala.

Gene was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed Kayaking, Hiking, Biking, Camping, etc. He was an avid photographer whose work was displayed and published around Whatcom County. For many years he taught courses on Sea Kayaking. It was through kayaking that he met the love of his life Nadine Kaaland, who he married in 2006. 

Gene is survived by his wife Nadine; his children Darren, Lori, Kristi, Kari, Tyler, and Kyle; their spouses/partners Jennifer, Rob, Mason, Tyler, Haley; his grandchildren Madison, Caleb, Nate, Emily, Jake, Simon, Janae, Krystin, Andi, Luisa, Antero, Alexander, Christopher, Chelsea, Tristan, Jackson, Sierra, Taya, Ocea, Maya, Briley, Haylie, Asya, Savannah, Kino, Lyra; 3 great grandchildren; his grandniece Laney; his siblings Nathan and Penny, and his sister in law Lorna. He was preceded in death by his parents Nathan and Margaret Davis, and his son Bryant Davis.

A memorial service for Gene Davis will be held at 1pm PST on Thursday June 27^th at the Ferry Terminal in Fairhaven. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask for donations to be made to the Whatcom Land Trust.