Wendell Davenport

Since Wendell did not wish to discuss or to have a printed obituary (probably because it meant he may not live forever), as his wife, I decided to share a few things with you, his friends. He was born in Kentucky, spent his early years in and around Evansville and enlisted in the Air Force at age 18, where he was stationed in France. After discharge, he received a political science degree from Murray State University where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega. He then taught social studies in Kankakee, IL. In 1964, he did graduate work at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee where we met, as I was in the same program at the same time. It was not love at first sight, but I thought he was ok, since he let me use his car to drive to church. In the weeks we were there, he became better than ok and once we were home- he in Evansville and I in Ft. Wayne- we courted by phone. Wanting to be closer to Ft. Wayne, he took a position with the Job Corps. At Camp Atterbury. In 1966 he moved to Ft. Wayne and began working for State Farm Insurance in the Claims Division. While there he completed the La Salle Law Course. With his first promotion, his supervisor wrote "We have all found Wendell to be a pleasant, intelligent, hard working person and we hope he will be around for a long time." He was, as he retired in 1999 after 33 years. He traveled to Europe, played golf, was an avid reader (well versed on many topics), and was a volunteer driver for cancer patients. After receiving the grim diagnosis of stage IV cancer, he said he "had lived a long life (84 years) and had much to be thankful for." With characteristic wit he also said, "I can tell others about my condition, but I can't tell myself." Yet he was never without great courage and strength. Being the last of 9 children, his surviving family includes several wonderful out of town nieces and nephews and his wonderful family close in distance and heart; his brothers-in-law, Stephen and David Pierre; their families, Stephen Joseph, Billie, Fr. Darren, Mark, Kristin, Ethan, Kate, and JJ; and of course, myself, Suzanne. To my soulmate, Rest in Peace. Private Graveside Services with military honors and a bagpiper were held at Catholic Cemetery on April 3, 2020.