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 September 11, 1937 in Valentine, Nebraska, the son of John Lloyd and Florence May Charbonneau Davey. Jack’s bio dad died when he was only 9 months old. Later, his mother married Walter Mack Barnebey, and when Jack was about 9 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 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 highly successful sons, Col. Justin C Davey and Dr. Curtis A Davey.
Jack’s maternal great grandfather 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 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. The Omaha World Herald newspaper wrote several articles about Dewey Beard. Sioux history says he survived the three major battles of the Indian Wars: Little Big Horn, Rosebud and Wounded Knee massacre. Dewey Beard was about 19 during the Battle of the Greasy Grass, also known as Custer’s Last Stand. Dewey Beard also says he fought at Rosebud, where the Sioux foiled the plan of General George Crook to join General Custer in a pincers movement. Dewey Beard was at Wounded Knee on December 29, 1890, where most of the group was killed by Seventh Cavalry troops. Dewey was wounded, his wife, baby, mother and father were among those slain. Later, Dewey settled down to a quiet life, joined the Catholic Church, and helped form St Stevens Church at Kyle, SD.
Jack’s military career spanned more than 2 decades. He was a Missile Launch Officer for 4 years, Electronic Engineer for over eleven years, and a Staff Development Engineer Manager for over 8 years. Jack’s decorations and medals were many: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, National Defense Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with One Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and Senior Missileman Badge. 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.
February 15, 1991, he married Susan Marie Sayward Lakey in Denver, CO. In 1994, Jack and Susan Davey moved to the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. For seven years, Jack and Susan Davey lived full time on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation, SD. In 2001, they purchased their retirement home in Phoenix, AZ and divided their time between the two homes, until 2014. The highlights of their time on the REZ 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 Contactor companies as well. Jack and Susan both worked with Applied Communications Inc, a Tandem Telecom Cellnet Program out of Omaha, NE.
In 1994, Jack began teaching at Sinte Gleska University (Spotted Tail University) in Mission, SD. Spotted Tail is 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 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. A special gift was their dog, Mato Caga (Lakota for Polar Bear). She was a pure white German Sheppard and Wolf mix and gave them four years of pure love. Jack and Susan had many cats throughout their life together, all were saves but two. Old Man Boris was Jack’s Siamese cat he had when he met Susan, and Angus was a black Manx they bought at a local pet shop in Denver, CO. Their many other cat furry family were: Two Ska, Roxanne, Ruthie, Rudolph Valentino, Baby Girl, Tom, Ricky, Callie and Smokey, he leaves behind, Mommni, Chika, Wanji, Orphan Anne, Prince Mao, GG (Jeje), Sweet Pea and Cinnamon, as well as three feral cats who lived in his Phoenix backyard for over 10 years, Teddy Bear, Kittie-Bit, and her daughter, Ittie-Bit.
Jack’s many clubs and organizations he belonged to included Masonic Minnekadusa Lodge #192, The American Legion Post 0044 out of Scottsdale, AZ, Alfa Romeo Car Club, Wheels of Britain Car Club and Porsche Club of America.
Surviving are his wife, Susan Marie Davey of Phoenix, AZ; 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 & Emmie; great grandson, Levi Thomas Davey; many cousins and very dear friends.
Burial for Jack Nelson Davey will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Valentine, NE.
Arrangements by Sandoz Chapel of the Pines, Valentine, NE.