Max passed away on June 16 after a long struggle with dementia and while receiving care at Lotus Park in West Haven. His strength and strong will were evident to the end as were his sweet love and caring for his family and others. He was born on May 14, 1931, in Malad, Idaho. He was one of 10 children who were blessed with the sweetest mother, Leona Thompson Davis, and a father, Reynold Davis, who was the epitome of strength and character. They taught their children to persevere in the face of challenges and that carried them through life’s joys and sorrows with a belief in self against all odds. He always used to tell his dear Olivia and now, Antonia, when strife occurred that they were Davis’s so tough it out. “You’re ok.” Still, the kindness in his eyes and his tenderness of spirit shone through. When you were loved by Max, you were in the embrace of a powerful person of significance.
He was a hard worker alongside his brothers and sisters from an early age. He graduated from Marsh Valley High School where he found he had a talent for boxing and wrestling there and in the Navy. He attended Brigham Young University briefly before enlisting in the US Navy where he provided exemplary service as a Gunner’s Mate Third Class during the Korean conflict, visiting many parts of the world, which opened his eyes to the world’s diversity and strengthening his citizenship in the country he honored with this service. He received a comment for his performance of duty in his contributions to the efficiency and operation of his vessel, described as the “best ever” in systems knowledge and maintenance of equipment. He carried this outstanding work ethic into every field of work he did, professionally and personally.
After his military service, he worked as a carpenter and later, for the balance of his career, he was a successful crane operator and a member of the Operating Engineers Union, Local 3. He retired in 1995. While living in California, he worked as a ranch hand, showing ranch managers that he was a person of notable skills and knowledge. He also had the opportunity, at that time, to use his beautiful Polish bred Arabian stallion as a cow horse on the ranch, which caused him to say, “they’re paying me to do this!”
During his life, Max raised, bred, trained, and showed Arabian horses becoming a skilled and master horseman with a true eye for quality and conformation, preserving the classic characteristics of Arabian horses over 54 years. He shared his lessons about the proper care and breeding of Arabian horses with all of us, promoting the quality and value of these beautiful creatures wherever he could.
Max is survived by Cecily, his wife and companion of 44 years as well as by his children, Robert Reynold Davis (Mary Ann), Denise Matson (Ron), Jeanine Davis (Russell Montague), Joni Davis Gunst (Cam), William Max Davis (Julie Rezai), and by his many talented and beautiful grandchildren including Antonia Marie Davis, daughter of Olivia Davis (who passed away on October 12, 2015) and was adopted by Max and Cecily. He is also survived by his sister, Cherol Davis Abbott (Flowermound, Texas) and Clark Kent Davis (Cottonwood, CA) and countless nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. H0e is preceded in death by his parents as well as siblings, Emerson Davis, Gwen Davis Jackson, Lois Davis Anderson, Van Davis, Benny R Davis, Perry Davis, and Yvonne Davis. We are comforted by the knowledge that he is now in the arms of his dear mother and family and with our Olivia who left us far too early.
His family is grateful for the kindness and compassion shown to Max by the exemplary staff of Envision Hospice Care and the staff and administrators of Lotus Park Memory Care Center in West Haven, Utah. They contributed significantly to his comfort and care during the final weeks and months of his life.
A graveside service is scheduled for Thursday, June 23, 2022, at 2pm at the Ogden City Cemetery, presided over by Myers Mortuary of Ogden, Utah.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com
Services entrusted to Myers Ogden Mortuary.
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Published by Myers Mortuary on Jun. 20, 2022.
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