Archive/Subscribe | www.sprayfoam.org May 8, 2013
 

Industry Loses Two Great Men

Print Print this Article | Send to Colleague


Aubrey Davis, a civic giant who helped found Group Health, secured funding for the downtown bus tunnel, pushed for the lush lid over I-90 on Mercer Island, and invented a no-slip compound still used on house decks around the country, died February 17, 2013.

Aubrey Davis’ most visible legacy might be the lush lid, with trails and ball fields, that sits atop Interstate 90 as it crosses Mercer Island. Mr. Davis, however, considered his pioneering work at Group Health his greatest accomplishment. As a founding member (No. 239) and later Group Health’s CEO, Mr. Davis helped revolutionize health care in the United States by showing a consumer-governed system could succeed.

In addition, he and two partners bought a rubber company they called Gaco Western. Mr. Davis became its president and experimented in his basement until he found an ingredient — crushed walnut shells — that made a no-slip compound. 

The shells have “the same hardness as the coating and wear uniformly,” said Peter Davis, the company’s CEO.

When the Davises vacationed with their four children, every outing was a chance for Mr. Davis to do some business, Trisha Davis said. 

“He thought nothing would be more fun than going to see another roof, deck or dam. We all sat in the car and played solitaire, went swimming in the local river or played in the city park. Mom fed us lunch out of the family picnic kit, which was a suitcase coated with Gaco coating. As odd as it seems, we have fond memories of those trips,” she said.

In addition to Peter and Trisha Davis, he is survived by children Judy Willott and Becky Pentz, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 

A memorial service is set for 10:29 a.m. (29 was an important number for him) on May 18 at the Paramount, 911 Pine Street, Seattle.

Donations may be made to Group Health Foundation, Group Health Hospice and the Economic Opportunity Institute. 



A great man passed on February 28, 2013. ERJ, passed in the loving care of his family. Emmett is survived by his loving wife of over 50 years, Jean Jamieson; sons Jim, Robert and John and daughter, Juliette; and loving grandchildren Emmett, Eileen, Elena and Jake; his son-in-law, Jorn Ormberget, (Juliette's husband,) and his daughter-in-law , Idalia, wife of Jim), numerous nieces and nephews, family and friends. 

Emmett, born June 23, 1919 in Chicago, was the youngest of eight children. Fiercely independent, strong willed and of stout spirit; he had true love for God, Family and Country. Emmett was a proud member of the U.S. Navy, serving four years in the Pacific Theater during World War ll. He moved to Texas in the 1950s and became a proud Texan. 

Emmett led a passionate and full life, leaving an indelible mark in his community as a founding member of Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Dallas. He was a self-made man, his entrepreneurial spirit beginning as a child. He was the founder and successful leader of Quadrant Chemical Corporation, Jamieson Associates and Acme Distributors, Inc. 

Emmett is a man that will always be missed and well- remembered by those he knew and by those he loved. Emmett was most proud of the great loves in his life -- his unwavering belief in God, his beautiful and intelligent wife and his children. Emmett believed in faith, generosity, honesty, integrity, passion and selfless love. He led by example and frequently quoted; "When the one great scorer comes to mark against your name, he marks not that you won or lost, but how you played the game!" 

Rosary was at St. Patrick's Catholic Church on March 7, followed by the funeral Mass. Contributions may be made in Emmett's name to: St. Vincent DePaul Society, St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
 

Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn