Lloyd E. Davis

Lloyd E. Davis died March 4, 2009 in Hemet, California.

Lloyd, son of Loren E. and Florence Davis, was born in Dillon, Montana December 6, 1924. He attended school in Dillon graduating from Beaverhead Co. High School in 1942. He joined the United States Army that same year and was a highly decorated veteran of World War II. He trained to be a ski trooper at Camp Hale, Colorado and then was sent to the South Pacific Theater. He received two purple hearts, the Bronze Star and the Silver Star. He was one of seven Silver Star winners in Beaverhead County from World War II. In New Guinea he received the Silver Star for going back into the line of fire to pull injured men to safety. This always humble man said “any soldier would do the same and did so on a daily basis.” One of his hardest war experiences was being on the first ship arriving to Nagasaki after the mass destruction. He was deeply affected by the families whose lives he then helped to save.

After his military service he returned safely home to Dillon as did his three other sibilings serving in the war effort. He was a charter member of the Dillon JayCees. He married Millie Nissen of Dillon in December 1946 and graduated later from The University of Montana – Missoula. Upon graduation he returned to Dillon and owned and operated the Chevron gas & oil distributorship which he subsequently sold to Harry Jensen. The Davis family moved to California to pursue a new business opportunity.

Lloyd and Millie spent a wonderful life raising their two children, Mark and Lori, in California, New York, and returning to California. Lloyd, with Millie’s participation, was a successful businessman who traveled throughout the United States and was always happiest upon returning home to his family. Lloyd and Millie retired in California enjoying times together, celebrating a 50th anniversary and living close to children and grandchildren until Millie’s death in 1997.

In 2004 Lloyd married a University of Montana friend Doris “Boots” Dodge and they had a wonderful time together traveling and visiting friends and family. Lori says, “Boots was a dream come true and Dad died a very happy man”.

Lloyd was a fun, kind man with a gentle loving humor who easily put a smile on the face of everyone he encountered. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family.

Lloyd was proceeded in death by his wife Millie, his parents Loren & Florence Davis, brother, Raymond “Buzzy” Davis, sister Dorothy Ann Forrester, in-laws Nis & Laura Nissen, Vi & Fielding Graves, Evelyn & Bill Seegar, Lillian Davis, John Husted, Roy Forrester, Hewitt Martinell, & Bill Flynn.

He is survived by his wife Boots of Hemet,CA., son Mark (Sandy) Davisof Vacaville, CA., daughter Lori (Mike) Pavich of Livermore,CA., grandchildren Jim (Jennifer)Davis, Kyle (Monica) Davis, Brook (Ron ) Witherspoon, and Jeff Pavich, five great grandchildren, brothers Bill (Jan) Davis of Seattle Wa., Carl (Martha) Davis of Dillon Mt., sisters Delores Husted of Jackson, MT, Hazel Marsh of Alder, MT., sister in law Carlene Davis of Dillon, MT and numerous loving cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.