Donald Melvin Davis

Donald Melvin Davis, 71, a man of great faith and a life well-lived, abruptly left this world following a major aneurysm at 12:27 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. Though his friends and family wish for just a little more time, it is agreed that his work here was done.

Don was born October 21, 1947, in Tempe to James Richard Davis and Ann Ora Ethington Davis. His journal reveals his earliest memories about living on the small dairy farm in Chandler. The family then moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, into a big house that Don wrote “as a young kid I had a lot of fun in this house....we had a lot of fun playing together and growing up.”

Don served a mission in Taiwan from 1966 to May 1969. He kept his boarding passes amongst his keepsakes and wrote the following: “I have always felt that the Lord has blessed me through my life for going on my mission. I wish all young men of the church would go.” He often spoke to his family about his mission and would throw as many Mandarin phrases into the conversation as possible. Following his mission, he moved to Mesa where he believed he would meet his wife. Lo and behold, it was not a long wait before Diana Bigelow moved to Mesa, conveniently enough, right next door. Their first date was on October 10, 1970. Don and Diana were married on March 20, 1971 in the Mesa Temple. Two weeks later, Don was called to serve in the Elders Quorum Presidency. He continued to serve faithfully in church callings for the rest of his days.

Throughout his life, Don held numerous positions. He did logging, mining and various jobs in a maintenance capacity for different organizations, but his deepest satisfaction came from his work in law enforcement. He first started with the Sheriff’s Department in Sanders and served in Alpine for a time. He was offered a position with the Town of Eagar as a Duty Marshall and became Chief Marshall. He wrote that he “enjoyed the work and learned a lot.” In 1988, he accepted a position with the Town of Springerville as a Police Officer. He served in this capacity until he retired in 2008.

Don loved spending time with his family. A little over a year ago, he asked Diana to start hosting a Sunday dinner for their children and family and anyone else who wanted to come. She agreed as long as he agreed to do the dishes afterward and thus the weekly tradition was born. At these dinners, he would tell of his life, ask the grandchildren to perform a talent, share videos of his early years, invite sister missionaries to speak, celebrate birthdays and ensure that once a week quality time was spent together.

Don loved wrestling, football and watching any activity that involved a grandchild. He looked forward to his annual camping trip with his brothers and relished that time he spent with them. He loved airplanes. From a young age he remembered with joy watching them take off and land.

By and large, Don Davis’ greatest superpower was his ability to love everyone. He is fondly remembered by many in Springerville as “Uncle Don”. Even if he didn’t agree with your choices, even if he was quite literally arresting you for those choices, he had an uncanny ability to make you feel like he still saw what a good person you were and that he still believed in you and was still on your side.

Don was preceded in death by his mother, Ann Ora Ethington Davis, father, James Richard Davis and brother, Wayne Neel Davis.

Don is survived by his sweetheart of 48 years, Diana Bigelow Davis, Eagar; children, Laura (Justin) Phelps, Thatcher; Tamra (Zac) Zobell, Strasberg, Colorado; Jennifer (Kent) Hansen, Eagar; Kevin (Jessica) Davis, Springerville; 19 grandchildren, Samantha (Jesse) Petersen, Rhys (Dallas) Hansen, Jessica Phelps, Shania Phelps, Peyton (Audrey) Phelps, Quillan Hansen, Braden Phelps, Savanna Phelps, Rachel Zobell, Liam Harlan, Rebecca Zobell, Joshua Davis, Riley Harlan, Elizabeth Zobell, Rowan Davis, Emily Hansen, Broderick Davis, Kenlee Hansen, Kellee Hansen, 4 great grandchildren, Easton Petersen, Avery Merrell, Hollis Merrell, Axton Petersen and 6 siblings, June Brennan, Joyce Curtis, Richard Allen Davis, Kenneth Davis, Harold Davis, Janet Davis and so many beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.

All are welcome who wish to say a final farewell. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 17, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Amity building, 576 W School Bus Rd, Eagar, with visitation one hour prior. Interment with police Honor Guard will immediately follow the funeral services at the Eagar Cemetery.

Those who wish to give a gift to honor Don are invited to make a contribution in his name to a youth in your family who is saving to go on a mission.