Thomas Davis Sr.

Thomas Richard Davis Sr., 81, of Great Falls, passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2015, at Peace Hospice.The funeral service will be held at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Tom was born in Wheeling, West Virginia on May 10, 1934 to Stella and James Davis. He grew up on Paxton Avenue in Elm Grove, West Virginia. He had several jobs throughout his youth, which included a paperboy, busboy, a playground instructor, golf caddy and dairy worker. He attended Elm Grove Elementary, went to Bridge Street Middle School and attended Triadelphia High School.Tom joined the Air Force in 1952, when he turned 18, and was sent to Great Falls to go to gunnery school. Upon arriving in Great Falls he learned the gunnery school had been closed down and he was placed in the motor pool. He was honorably discharged in 1956 and went to work at Rainbow Meats. He then went to work as a Carman apprentice for the Great Northern Railroad and soon after began driving truck for them. He had 30 years of safe driving when he retired.Not long after he got to Great Falls, he met and fell in love with the love of his life, Joyce Mugs Fatz. They were married in January 1955 in Black Eagle and started a family. They spent over 50 wonderful years together and enjoyed many hobbies together including camping, fishing, golfing, putt-putt tournaments and spending time with family. They loved to take their motorhome south to spend time with their daughter, Peggy, and her family and his beloved sister, Es, and her family.Tom loved telling stories about growing up in West Virginia and his wild shenanigans hunting squirrels, fishing, camping, playing war, and swimming in the creek with his lifelong friends.Tom is survived by his son Tom (Kim) Davis of Great Falls; daughters Peggy (Daryl) Blackmon of Manassas, VA, Cindy (Bob) Cummings of Fairfield, MT, and Terri (Kevin) OConnell of Great Falls; grandchildren David Davis, Ida and James Damon, Bobby and David Cummings, Brittanie and Courtney OConnell, Taylor and Logan Davis; great grandchildren Gage, Soren and Tripp Cummings; his beloved sister, Esther Lutrick, of Raleigh, NC and her daughters Kelli, Janie (Barry), Paula (Duane) and Susan (Jeff) and their families.His parents, his beautiful wife, and grandson Austin Davis preceded him in death.Memorial contributions can be made to Peace Hospice, 1101 26th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405.