Jack Nelson Davey, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on April 29, 2022, at Scottsdale Osborn Hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was 84 years old.
Jack was born on Sept. 11, 1937, in Valentine, the son of John Lloyd and Florence May Charbonneau Davey. Jack’s biological dad died when he was only nine months old. Later, his mother married Walter Mack Barnebey, and when Jack was about nine years of age, Walter adopted him. It was Jack’s decision to keep his Davey name, he did so because there was already another Jack Barnebey at the time.
Jack graduated from Mullen High School in 1956.
Jack began his military career with the United States Air Force in 1961, as well as his first family. He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering; married his first wife, Lois Joan Curfman, and entered the United States Air Force all on the same day, June 10, 1961. From this union they had two sons, Col. Justin C. Davey and Dr. Curtis A. Davey.
Jack’s maternal greatgrandfather was Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, the baby who was born on the Lewis and Clark trail to Sacajawea (also known as Bird Woman) and Toussaint Charbonneau, hired to be a cook on the expedition. Jack is Sicangu Lakota and was an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Jack’s first Indian naming ceremony occurred when he was about 15 years old; he received the Indian name of Wicahpi Wiyakpa (Bright/Intelligent Star). The ceremony was conducted by a friend of Jack’s gramma, Jennie Charbonneau, Dewey Beard, also known as Chief Iron Hale. Dewey Beard was about 96 years old at the time of Jack’s naming ceremony in 1953.
Jack’s military career spanned more than two decades. He was a Missile Launch Officer for four years, Electronic Engineer for over 11 years, and a Staff Development Engineer Manager for over eight years. Jack’s decorations and medals were many. His advanced education started in Lincoln, Nebraska, with his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, and continued with a Missile Combat Crew Commander’s Certificate and Master of Science (Aerospace Engineering) Air University, United States Air Force.
Feb. 15, 1991, he married Susan Marie Sayward Lakey in Denver, Colorado. In 1994, Jack and Susan Davey moved to the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota where they lived full time for seven years. In 2001, they purchased their retirement home in Phoenix and divided their time between the two homes, until 2014. The highlights of their time on the reservation were Jack’s grandchildren, and adopted granddaughter, Ashley, coming to spend summers at “Camp Davey.” The kids learned many things about their grandfather’s Indian culture and ceremonies of their Indian heritage.
After his military career, Jack worked many years with Department of Defense Contractors. Martin Marietta Corporation and General Dynamics, where he interfaced with other Defense Contractor companies as well. Jack and Susan both worked with Applied Communications Inc., a Tandem Telecom Cellnet Program out of Omaha.
In 1994, Jack began teaching at Sinte Gleska University (Spotted Tail University) in Mission, South Dakota. Spotted Tail was a great-uncle to Jack. Jack taught Physics, Electronics and Renewable Energy. Jack served as a consultant at Grass Mountain School on the Rosebud Reservation. Jack was privileged to sit at the drum and sing Indian songs with his good friend, Calvin Standing Bear, and had a special relationship with his Misun, Florentine Blue Thunder.
Jack and his wife, Susan shared their passion for animals. They saved more than they could count.
Jack’s many clubs and organizations he belonged to included Masonic Minnekadusa Lodge #192, The American Legion Post 0044 out of Scottsdale, Alfa Romeo Car Club, Wheels of Britain Car Club and Porsche Club of America.
Surviving are his wife, Susan Marie Davey of Phoenix; son, Col. Justin C. Davey, PE and wife, Mary Beth of Iraq, grandson Tristan and his wife, Audrey, grandson, Merit; son, Curtis A. Davey, PhD and wife, Gabriella, PhD of Switzerland, grandchildren Xaver and Emmie; great grandson, Levi Thomas Davey; many cousins and very dear friends.
Funeral service was held May 11, 2022, at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine. Burial followed at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Valentine. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was in charge of service arrangements.