Gary Franklin Davis

Gary Franklin Davis was born to Genevieve and Franklin Davis on April 3, 1944, in Seattle, Washington. The world did not know what was about to hit it. His ancestry says he was German and British, but he would tell you that he was part pirate. He had a spark from the very beginning. When Gen and Frank moved back to Great Falls, their house was bustling with boys. Gary was joined eventually by brothers Mike, Tom, and Bob. The Davis boys spent many days eating mountains of pork chops, mashed potatoes, donuts, and date-filled cookies made by Grandma Gen.

Gary met Kathy, the love of his life, when they were both students at Great Falls High. They dated all the way through high school. Gary graduated from Great Falls High in 1962, and then moved to Dillon to attend the University of Montana-Western. Kathy joined him in Dillon in the Fall of 1964. They were married on September 11, 1965. In the following years, Jenny and Jon were added to the family. In the 1970s, he spent time during the summers teaching Outdoor Education at Western. This led to many nature walks, teaching his children and grandchildren the names of all the plants you could see in the mountains of Montana.

During this time, in addition to teaching Biology at GFHS, he took another job as a park cop in order to make ends meet for his young family. He served 14 years in the Montana Air National Guard during these years as well. He was always a hard worker. He often had to be told to come inside and eat something because he had not eaten anything all day long. Once he got involved in a project, he could not stop until it was finished.

Other jobs that Gary held were GFHS pool manager, gymnastics coach, and then he moved into an administrative role. He became the Dean of Students before he moved into the position of Principal of Great Falls High School. He dearly loved being a Bison and was held in high regard by those who knew him. He was always fair, firm, and kind to everyone. It didn’t matter the station in life, he was good and respectful to all those he met. He retired from being Principal in the Spring of 2002.

Probably his biggest achievement outside of work was having a vision of building a cabin in the Little Belts. He knew that it would be important to his family for generations to come. He loved spending time at the cabin with family and friends. He made endless toasted ham sandwiches for all the kids who went up there to spend the day sledding, or for whoever was working on Grandpa’s latest project. A trip to the cabin was like having a window into Gary's soul. It was his most loved, and definitely what he considered the most sacred place on this Earth. If you were invited up there to his sanctuary, you knew you were one of the lucky ones.

Countless hours were spent at the cabin playing games around the table. He and Kathy played Canasta with his brother Mike, and sister-in-law Sylvia, and Yahtzee with the kids and grandkids. He even taught the grandchildren how to play chess, and don't worry, Grandpa didn't ever let the kids win. They had to earn it.

In recent years, he got into "junking."  He would search for antiques in questionable condition and refinish them. One day, he even took his two grandsons dumpster-diving for a quarter sawn oak table. He was a self-taught master craftsman at his antiquing hobby. Many of these beautifully refurbished pieces have found their way to the cabin, where they will be enjoyed by his family for many years to come.

The world lost a great light on September 19, 2024, when Gary peacefully passed at Peace Hospice in Great Falls, Montana. He will be dearly missed by his family, as well as his friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Gen; his brother, Bob; and his brother, Tom.

Gary is survived by his wife of 59 years, Kathy; daughter, Jennifer (Dwaine) Ferguson of Red Deer, Alberta, her daughters Sarah and Anna (Jonny); son, Jon (Erica) Davis of Great Falls, and their sons Turner and Carter; great-grandchildren, Abigail, Aubrey, and Lukas; brother, Mike (Sylvia) Davis; sisters-in-law, Debbie Davis and Rita Davis; grandpuppy, Pearl, who could always find Grandpa's treat pocket; and his most beloved fur baby, Lucy, who is the most faithful canine companion he could have asked for.

A Celebration of Life for Gary will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Great Falls Airport, in the Top of the Falls Room. A reception will follow in the same location. We hope you can join us to remember Gary, share stories and enjoy each other's company.

Donations are suggested to the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation; Peace Hospice; or the McLean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center.