Oscar Leroy Davis

Oscar was extraordinary.In fact, he was the very first baby to be born on Utah’s Centennial, July 24, 1947, and that is some competition, considering this Mormon community!He was the fourth of seven children born to Dennis LeRoy and Bessie Verna (Nielson) Davis in Provo, Utah.Denny Davis was larger than life and went out of his way to meet and get to know each person he encountered.It was no wonder he was chosen as car salesman of the year by Time magazine.Bessie was nothing short of a mother hen who loved and nestled everyone who came her way.She was unpretentious and accepting of all.The family lived in Provo, Lindon, and Orem where they raised animals, fruits, and vegetables.They worked hard and created a healthy and sufficient way of life. Oscar graduated from Orem High, class of 1968.Three months later he was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War with the United States Army Tenth Infantry.He served from 1968 to 1969 and received many medals.Among them were two Purple Hearts, with one Oak Leaf Cluster for being injured in action.He also received the prestigious Bronze Service Star medal for heroic and honorable deeds performed during his unimaginable year spent on the ground in the jungle of Vietnam. Upon returning from Vietnam, Oscar married Lyn Helmes.The two welcomed their first child together in 1970, Oscar Lyon Davis, in Seattle Washington. Shortly after the birth of Lyon, the small family moved back to Utah, where Oscar attended Southern Utah State University in Cedar City on the GI Bill.He graduated with two Bachelor’s degrees. After the unbearable loss of an infant son, Bonner Cody, in 1974, Oscar spent his summers in Aspen Colorado, working on a ranch.Winters, he traveled to the southern tip of Baja California, in his camper where he lived on the beaches.He loved to fish, snorkel, and scuba dive in the Sea of Cortez.He made many friends from around the world over the years, and the local Mexican community loved him dearly. Oscar spent as much time with his son Lyon as was possible.Life with Dad was always a high adventure; every boy’s dream.Summers were spent fishing, camping, and riding horses deep into the mountains. Winter vacations were spent with him in Mexico, deep-sea fishing, diving, and exploring unnamed islands.Lyon now lives in Red Lodge, Montana, with his wife, Patty, and their two children, Ava and Leto, whom Oscar treasured as his own. In 1993, Oscar met Susan Mullen.They married on the island of Rum Cay, in the Bahamas, and spent every winter there for the next 25 years in their inherited family home.Swimming, beach combing, snorkeling, fishing, exploring the island, and just relaxing was his life on the island.The people of Rum Cay loved and accepted him like no other.He, likewise, loved them, their culture, and their lifestyle. Most Summers were spent together in Gila, New Mexico, on the Gila River, where they built a beautiful compound of straw bale structures to exemplify a more low-impact and sustainable way of living.As local stewards of the Upper Gila Watershed, pack trips and river rafting trips became a cherished part of their life in New Mexico. They also enjoyed traveling and, after having spent time in Peru, decided to become guardians of a young 13-year-old girl from Tarapoto, Peru.Nevadith returned to New Mexico with them, and eventually became a U.S. citizen.She is now married and has two beautiful children, Heliel and Elena.She owns and operates the EZ Doesit Ranch and Farm in Gila, New Mexico. Oscar was very close to his family and would make a point to visit them all every year.His surviving siblings are older brother, Dean Davis; three older sisters, Gerrie Lewis, Dennie Jean Knudsen, and Cathie Roberts; and his baby sister, Tami Ware.Oscar was preceded in death by his infant son, Bonner Cody; his parents, Dennis and Bessie Davis; and his younger brother, Rocky Davis, who passed away in 2003. Oscar was everybody’s favorite brother, uncle, and friend.He always had a twinkle in his eye and a million-dollar smile on his face.Everybody loved Oscar, and he loved all in return.His spontaneity and unassuming nature left everyone feeling treasured with his kindness and giant heart. A memorial service will be planned for this upcoming summer, around his birthday, July 24. May he always Rest In Peace. ♥