Donald Davis

Donald William "Don" Davis, 91, passed peacefully from this life in the evening on Monday, November 16th, 2020 due to a long and well-fought battle with, primarily, COPD as well as cardiovascular disease. In his final days, he was surrounded and supported by his loving family and caregivers. On June 6th, 1929, Don, the third of four children, was born to Lyle William Davis and Cecile Jeanne Davis in a small house that still stands today in Englewood, Colorado.

Don is survived by his wife, Margot, married 64 years this December; daughter Charlotte and husband Dan Davis; daughter Patricia (Patty) and husband Steve Richardson; son John Davis; step-daughter Debbie and husband Tom Ellis (Sarah and Zach); grandchildren Kim and husband Nelson Trumbull, Kendra Buttner, Tyler Richardson, Kaylee Richardson; great grandchildren William Trumbull, Johnathan Trumbull and Reagan Buttner; sister Geraldine Hiner; a handful of nieces and nephews and an abundance of great nieces and nephews. Don is preceded in this life by his son William Michael "Mike" Davis, brother Richard "Dick" Davis and sister Marilyn Smith.

Don graduated from Abilene High School in 1946, attended MacMurray College, Texas Tech University and, finally, Oklahoma University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s in Petroleum Geoscience in 1950. While earning his degree, he served 6 years in the Army National Guard. He had a long and successful career hunting for black gold in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and even Canada. Before working from home as an independent contractor in 1971, he worked for Tennessee Gas and Midwest Oil. In 1958, only 6 weeks after the birth of their first child, Charlotte, Midwest Oil relocated Don and his family to Calgary, AB Canada. They enjoyed the Canuck life for 6 years, during which time they grew their family with the additions of Mike and Patty.

Beyond the love and devotion for his family, Don had a passion for music. He played a pretty wicked trombone throughout high school. Alongside his brother, Dick, who played the trumpet, they played in dance bands to entertain local military guys and gals during WWII. Over the years, he found great joy in English Springer Spaniel field trials, dove hunting and a great many and varied DIY projects around the house. In his final days, he enjoyed time spent with family, listening to his favorite Big Band artists, recounting life’s experiences and, as always, reading with great fervor anything pertaining to health and nutrition, politics and investing, and consuming homemade cherry pie whenever possible.

Truly part of America’s Greatest Generation, he will be missed dearly. At this challenging time for his family and nation, there are no formal plans for a memorial service. A celebration of life will be held on his birthday next summer.