Darwin F. Davis

Darwin Frederick Davis peacefully passed away surrounded by family on September 14, 2026. Darwin was born on February 3, 1933, living well and creatively for 93 years. He was born and grew up in Ellensburg, WA except for a brief time during WWII when his family lived in Anaheim, CA where his father worked for a war related company. Returning to Ellensburg, Darwin finished high school, served in the Navy and graduated from CWU with a fine arts degree. Darwin met Patricia Kelleher at a college party and after a very brief courtship they were married and stayed together for 68 years. As Darwin was working as a graphic designer for the state of Washington they first lived in Olympia and later moved to the Seattle area. Their son, Daniel, was born in Issaquah where Darwin had designed the house while working for Boeing. During this time, Reino Randall, the CWU Art Department Chair, contacted Darwin informing him that the University was going to hire a graphic designer and had built a new art building which would be perfect for large metal sculptures. Patricia and Darwin of course moved back to Ellensburg, where Darwin eventually designed another house. Both Daniel and his sister, Bethany, who had arrived after the move grew up in their Ellensburg family home. Darwin worked the remainder of his career at CWU as a graphic designer, built a few large metal sculptures in his spare time and was often asked to emcee campus events and retirements.
Darwin will be remembered as a kind, gentle spirit who loved his family, worked diligently and had a subtle but keen sense of humor. Those who knew him would say that while he was a man of few words when he spoke it was with care, respect and humor. He was always thinking and planning his next sculpture, cartoon or landscape feature that he was designing. Darwin worked with large metal sculptures early in life and in retirement focused on wood sculptures which had many themes and subjects. He was always poking fun at established society norms and traditions with wit and intent; he seldom explained his message and delighted in seeing how others interpreted it.
Darwin would not have wanted a traditional obituary and it may be best for us now to remember him with some of his own words from his artist statement in a 2000 shared exhibition at Gallery One. “Many visual artists are uncomfortable making statements about their work. I, for one, more often than not, become lost in a sea of verbiage. As a safeguard, I prefer to leave it up to the gallery-goer to wing it on their own. I’m confident those patrons with a kindred spirit and ‘astute visual acuity’ will appreciate my poking fun at the wicky-wacky way humans not only interact with each other but with their ‘earthly’ surroundings, ‘heavenly’ Gods and demons of the deep. And, if any supporter feels actually moved to actually buy a piece, they can be comforted in the knowledge that all proceeds help Gallery One and also supplement my Medicare premiums. Over the years I have exhibited here and there; the showings were either joint-exhibitions, juried or invitational. I sold some, gave some away, and destroyed some. All was accomplished without the benefit of worldwide fame or fortune. To actually make a living I worked as a graphic designer. But even that would not have paid all the bills if it had not been for my wife, Pat, who taught in the public schools and then away at Central Washington University. For many years it has been a joint effort, juggling careers and raising a family. Now that both of us have retired, we pretty much do as we damn well please. Our only regret is that we purchased a car in the mid-eighties instead of Microsoft stock.”
From Darwin’s words in another exhibit, “My hope is that I can bring some whimsy to humanity.”
Darwin’s Celebration of Life will be held on March 20th at 4PM at Gallery One in Ellensburg.