Remembering Douglas Mark Davaz

Eulogy

I want to personally thank Father Dan, and Bishop Nevares and all of you attending this celebration of the life of my brother. Thank you all for your kind words, your beautiful cards and most of all, your prayers. We will all remember Doug in different ways. This is how I will remember him:

We were born on May 7th, 1958, on the northern shore of Chesapeake Bay at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The hospital bill for us was almost $7.00. Sometimes our dad (especially when we were older) would say that he spent too much money on us. Occasionally when we were young, I would tell Doug, “Respect your elders!” Then I would remind him that I was five minutes older than he was.

We were always roommates when we were growing up. Until we were teenagers we even slept in the same double bed. As young boys, we sat cross-legged on the bed and had a serious talk about that imaginary, lengthwise boundary in the middle of the mattress. Our rule was that if that line was crossed, then the other guy could kick the trespasser. The only time I remember getting mad about a kick from him in the middle of the night, was when I ended up on the floor. I know he had to be on my side of the line before that kick! To this day, I sleep on the outside edge of the bed.

While I preferred outdoor exercise growing up, Dougie preferred to exercise his mind. Sure, he was a Scout and knew how to survive outdoors, but he also studied and collected coins. He was a local club member of the American Numismatic Society when he was 10 years old, and I remember him talking with me about coins like… buffalo nickels, mercury dimes and five-dollar gold pieces. I paid attention to all his hobbies and always admired him for his drive to try something new, like woodburning, photography and archery. At one point, he studied knife making under Rod Chappel who owned Davis Custom Knives in Spokane, WA. We were at Rod’s workshop one day when Doug gave me a knife that he made with his own two hands. I cherish and use that knife to this day. He was a generous man.

Douglas always excelled in school and was the Valedictorian of our senior class. He attended Pomona College in Claremont, CA, during his first year of college and spent much of that time in Lima, Peru as an exchange student. When I asked him, “why Lima?” he said matter-of-factly, “I have never been to South America, and I want to practice my Spanish.” He finished college with honors at the University of Washington with a degree in Economics.

Doug started working in the Federal Government after school and served for 36 years. When my friends would ask me what my twin brother did for a living, I always thought it was cool to tell them that he was an “agent” with the IRS. Then, I would watch their reactions. Mostly squirms. The truth is that Doug was firm when he needed to be, but mostly, he was a gentle man. His intelligence and his ability to work with people enabled him to rise through the ranks of the IRS to a Territory Manager’s position. In my world, that is like being a Regional Forester and it is quite an accomplishment.

He and Sandy received the sacrament of Marriage in 1985. As their careers developed, their family also blossomed…. with Natalie. Even though their work took them further away from us, it was always important for him to reconnect. He took the initiative and devoted the time and money to visiting us. Our families have valuable memories of cousins playing together when they were growing up. Making those memories lives on in their adulthood, and plans are becoming firm for some overseas travel together next spring.

As you can imagine, Doug and I were together when we were Baptized, when we were Confirmed, and when we received our First Holy Communion.

Sometimes, we walked to Confession together, but I do not recall waiting for him to finish his Penance like he waited for me. Doug expressed and strengthened his faith throughout his life. He was a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. Many of you knew him as Deacon Doug and he was a teacher in your faith community. He was a man of the cloth, and he worked hard preparing his sermons after working hard all week at his regular job. I was always enormously proud of him for receiving his Holy Orders and when he was teaching the word of the God. As you all know, Doug was recently Annointed, receiving his 7th sacrament.

In 1962, our dad wrote some words that have relevance for today. He said, “Man cannot alter on earth what God has pre-ordained for him in heaven. If you look at it positively without fear, whether you die by natural causes, accident, or war, …..think about what you have had, not what you have missed.”

Doug was able to say that he had lived a full 66 years, 39 of which were spent with a wonderful wife whom he loved very much. He loved his wonderful daughter, whom he was proud of and that he and Sandy raised to adulthood. Doug loved his whole family. He loved God. He loved mankind. He had a very special place in his heart for animals, too.

For all of us moving forward in our grief, try to live each day as it comes. Recall from the past only what you have pleasure in remembering and with reasonable precautions, let tomorrow take care of itself.

Eternal rest grant to Doug, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul rest in peace. Amen

— Dennis Mark Davaz, December 13, 2024
St. Juan Diego Catholic Church, Chandler, AZ