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James Dean Davis

James Dean (JamesZee) Davis entered into eternal peaceful rest on Monday, July 29, 2013, at Coulee Medical Center.

He was born on July 3, 1958, to Moses W. Davis, Sr. and Agnes Andrews at the Coulee Dam Hospital.

He attended the Nespelem School and was proud to be a “Savage”, where he was a member of the basketball team and had earned an MVP; Columbia Jr. High at Coulee Dam where he was a pitcher on the Mustangs baseball team; Grand Coulee Dam Jr. High at Grand Coulee; Lake Roosevelt High School where he was a member of the Raider cross country team and held a record until his nephew Stanford Spencer, also of LRHS, broke it.

He was an accomplished self-taught artist where his art work was placed on T-shirts and used for tattoos.

In his youth he spent summers in Spokane with extended family of Beans Alexander. For 20 years he lived with his sister and brother-in-law, Deva C. and Frankie John Sr. and their children in Tacoma where he worked with Frankie packing fish and was an accomplished fisherman. Upon returning to Nespelem, he lived with his parents. In his early years he worked at the tribal greenhouse and as a tree thinner and laborer for the Colville Tribes.

In his later years, he was an avid basketball player at the Nespelem Community Center and was shooting 3-pointers before there was a three-point line.

He enjoyed watching PRCA and BRO, his favorite rider being hometown World Champ Shane Proctor. He also enjoyed watching and cheering on his favorite nephews Winnifred Pakootas and Lil’ Abe ride and win the Suicide Race at the Stampede.

He was heartbroken that his only favorite basketball team - the Sonics - left Seattle. He cheered on the Ms win or lose with his favorite football team being the Titans. He enjoyed making his rounds on the Rez visiting family and friends for a “cold one”. He was seen on a daily basis walking on the Agency Campus or sitting under the “Leaning Tree” and of late, at the baseball field bleachers with numerous buddies.

His generosity, kind heart, smile and laughter will be missed by all.

He was a member of the Seven Drums and a very proud member of the Chief Joseph Band of Nez Perce enrolled with the Colville Tribes.

He is survived by his very Special Lady friend Rena Abrahamson, his brothers Markus Davis Sr., Billy Tonasket, Monte, Marc and Mike Piatote, Sam Alexander. His sisters Darlene Saxon, Vernita Davis, Dee Ann Haynes, Beverly Davis, Renee Davis Deva John, Patricia Davis and Beany Alexander. Special nephew and niece Douglas (Tubby) Davis and Ciara Louie. Uncles Harrison Davis, Andy Gua and Billy Ives. Aunts Rose Piatote and Elizabeth Davis. Numerous nephews, nieces and all his Leaning Tree buddies.

He has joined his loved ones - parents Moses and Agnes, brothers Mose Jr., Howard and Arnold Davis and Charley Tonasket, sister Vernadene Davis and loyal pet Hercules.

He was laid to rest at the Chief Joseph Cemetery in Nespelem on August 1, 2013. Strate Funeral Home of Grand Coulee was in charge of the arrangements.