STAFFORD—Eddie Ray Davenport, Sr., 82, of Stafford, Virginia passed peacefully in his home after a long illness on Saturday October 22, 2022. Eddie was born on November 9,1939 in Powell's Point, North Carolina to Jesse Ray and Grace Davenport. His lifelong love of woodworking began as a child, helping his father and grandfather build his childhood home in Barco, N.C.

Eddie was a lifelong Boy Scout, receiving Eagle Scout in 1956. He was a member of Troop 212 in Currituck, N.C. and one of six Eagle Scouts from that troop. He was also a Brotherhood Member of The Blue Heron Lodge of the Order of the Arrow. Eddie continued his scouting service by serving as Scout Master to Troop 213 in Portsmouth, VA, where he graduated 17 Eagle Scouts, including his son. He was famous for the quotation, "Take only memories and leave only footsteps."

Eddie graduated from Moyock High School in 1957. After graduation, he worked for Forman Lumber Company in Elizabeth City, NC as a Forrester.  In 1961, he went into the apprenticeship program at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. He worked as a General Foreman Boilermaker in Shop 41 with the Shipyard for 25 years. In 1980, he received a Presidential Commendation from President Jimmy Carter for many years of service and contributions to the United States Nuclear Submarine Program. In addition to his regular job, he worked for many years as a shoe salesman for Hofheimer's Shoes on weekends and afterhours. He and his wife, Elsie, shared a love of woodworking and crafts, which took them on many journeys across the Eastern and Midwest states.  He then went to work in Taiwan for the U.S. Government doing shipbuilding scheduling. Upon returning from Taiwan, his journey took him to New Jersey and then onto Northern Virginia, which he and his wife made their new home.  There he went to work in the private sector for a few years and then returned to government work for the U.S. Marine Corps as a Civil Servant Marine Contractor until he retired in 2012.

Retirement was filled with many hours of building trains and model train layouts in his garage, train shows, fishing, shooting, woodworking, and spending time with family. His love of developing strategies and his keen ability to find a solution to every problem led to his title as the family checker and chess champion. Eddie loved the outdoors and especially the mountains of Cass, West Virginia.  He was a fan of wrestling and loved his Duke Blue Devils Basketball; he never missed a game! He enjoyed many hours of amusement and fun watching the birds and wildlife outside the front door, which brought him much joy and laughter.

His devotion to family was a driving force in his life. In 1959, Eddie married the love of his life, Elsie Mae Etheridge. They shared a wonderful life together until her death in 2008. Eddie is survived by a son, E.R. Mike Davenport, Jr. and wife Tink; two daughters: Robin West and husband Bobby, and Lisa Davenport; grandchildren Eddie Ray Davenport III and wife Brittany, Victoria Liles and husband Wesley, and Shannon West; and great-granddaughter Aubrey Grace Liles.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 27, at Foster Funeral Home, 1926 High St., Portsmouth. A graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 28, at Olive Branch Cemetery, 2 Cpl. J. M. Williams Ave., Portsmouth. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either the Stafford County Fire and Rescue Charitable Foundation, P.O. Box 339, Stafford, VA 22555, or to the National Railway Historical Society . Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.