It's so hard to write this, but I want to honor Davin, who will always be one of my dearest friends. I met him 31 years ago, when he lived at 12 Oaks Retirement Community with his grandparents. He worked at Home Interiors then and was the star of his bowling league. He had a memory like a steel trap and always had the time to stop and talk and just be friendly. I can hear his "Howdy!" still. He was the most incredible and unique human being I have ever known. Once he became your friend, he was your friend forever, and his friendship was unconditional. He stayed in touch with me for the last 31 years, no matter where I lived or what I was doing. We met every month for years to have lunch together, always at El Fenix on Northwest Highway, but on my birthday, he would take me for seafood, because that's my favorite. The last time I saw him was his birthday lunch and we had a great time, as we always did. We always had the same conversation, but it never got old. I dropped him back at the train station on Walnut Hill to get his bike, and told him I loved him as he got out of the car. He told me too that day, which he didn't always do; it embarrassed him a lot of the time.
Davin maintained his child-like innocence and loyalty, no matter what happened in his life. He loved Lakeview at Josey Ranch and all his coworkers and his Residents so much. At the time of his death, he was the happiest he had ever been in his life, and so proud because he was making more money than he had ever made, and he had been honored at work with many awards over the 9 years he was there. I thank God every day for bringing Davin into my life. There's a huge, gaping hole in my heart without him, but I remember all the happiness he brought to me and how he's left an indelible stamp on my life. My memories of him will always make me smile. Love you, Davin.
Amy Hamrah Smith