Jeron (Jerry) Edel Davis

Funeral Recording - "https://audio.funeralrecording.com/embed/4a080e04-2fef-11ee-83a4-16cf116f09e5"

Our dad, Jeron Edel Davis (Jerry), died at the age of 89, on July 21, 2023, due to the effects of Alzheimers. He lived a full and wonderful life.

Dad was born on January 16, 1934, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of Edward Bone Davis and Ardella Ottley Davis, and was raised in the Sugar House area. He always talked fondly of his days growing up, telling stories over the years of his many boyhood experiences. He honored his father and mother in the way he lived his life. It was during his formative years as a teenager that Dad became solidly converted to living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

At the age of 17, when dishing ice cream at Fernwood’s Ice Cream Parlor, a cute girl walked through the door to see who the cute boy was that her sister had told her was working there. It was there that Dad’s and Mom’s relationship began. Two years later, at the age of 19, Dad married his sweetheart, Annette Parker, in the Salt Lake Temple. Eleven months later their first child was born, followed by four more children in the span of seven years. Three additional children followed, but not quite as quickly.

Although they had eight children, Dad and Mom weren’t done. Responding to spiritual promptings, with open arms and loving hearts they welcomed three additional children into our family, — two from South Korea and one from Bolivia, increasing the total number of children to 11. Although our home was cramped, our family was happy. We always knew that above all other interests and associations in Dad’s and Mom’s life, our family came first. Because we kids were so close in age, and because Dad and Mom were so young when starting their family, it felt like we were all growing up together with Mom and Dad being just a little bit older than we were.

Dad enlisted into the U.S. Armed Forces in 1954, fulfilling his two-year obligation to our Country by playing the drums in the Army band, Camp Lousy, Puerto Rico. Inasmuch as he was permanently assigned to the base, Mom was able to join with him. After returning to civilian life, Dad completed his education at the University of Utah, graduating with a degree in business management. In the early 1960’s he and Mom bought a small home in the Canyon Rim neighborhood of Salt Lake City, and a few years later moved but a block away to a slightly larger home where they’ve since lived over the past 57 years. Thanks to all Canyon Rim 3rd Warders and those in the surrounding neighborhoods who have been some of their dearest friends, and who played a huge role in raising us kids.

In the mid 60’s Dad began selling promotional advertising, and in 1969 he started his own marketing company, Bonneville Specialties. Dad was very successful in business, both in sales and real estate investments. He was a great example to his children, teaching the values of hard work, self-reliance, and to not fear risk, — that is managed risk. We grew up hearing him often teach, — “More people fail by not trying than they do by trying”, — “If you think you can, or if you think you can’t, you’re right”, — and “Dependability is better than ability”.

Dad was an outdoorsman and fun. Many an adventure we had camping in the mountains, hunting, fishing, canoeing, rafting, and hiking. And many a trip we took exploring the West, doing it the cheap way by packing tightly into the family van, and usually winging it as we headed down the highways and backroads until we found a place where we wanted to stay and explore. With Mom he traveled the world to nearly every continent, mostly winging it because Dad wanted to live and be with the people rather than travel the touristy way. The amazing thing is, Mom was OK with that.

Most importantly to us, Dad has always been a great example by living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Dad loves our Savior, Jesus Christ, and diligently strived to live God’s plan of happiness. He was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He, with Mom, served in many capacities in the church, including four full-time missions and several church service missions. He was generous with his time and means, and is a great example of rendering service to others as he magnified his church callings and sensed ways he could help others.

Dad was a faithful husband and father. We always knew that Dad loved us, but we always knew that Mom was first in his life. There was never a time that we could get away with being disrespectful to Mom, his sweetheart, because Dad wouldn’t have it. Dad always looked out for Mom, and Mom was always adoring and deeply devoted to him. Mom is only 13 days younger than Dad. In their old age they prayed to leave this mortal life together. We suspect it won’t be long until Mom walks through the door of heaven, to be reunited with that cute boy she married nearly 70 years ago. And when that day comes, we will rejoice for Dad and Mom, that they are once again whole in mind and in spirit.

Not only does Dad leave behind his beloved wife, our sweet Mom, he leaves behind us children and our spouses, — Mark (Jane), Glen (Janene), Kent (Erin), Lisa Campbell (Clyde), Brook (Michal), Abel (Cami), Seri, Janna Voss (Laurie), and Rob (Debbie), — as well as 41 grandchildren, 104 great grandchildren, and his two sisters, Beverly Tingey and Ann Pettit. He was preceded in death by two of our brothers, Joel and Brett, and his brother, Robert E. Davis.

Funeral services for Dad will be held on Monday, July 31, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Canyon Rim Stake Center, — 3051 South 2900 East, Millcreek City, Utah. There will be a viewing at the Stake Center on Sunday, July 30th, from 6:00 - 7:30 pm, and on Monday, from 9:30 - 10:30 am. We look forward to honoring Dad and celebrating his life, with family and friends.