Larry Davis

Larry Gene Davis, 62, a lifelong resident of Troy, died Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006, in Hayden, Idaho, as the result of an accidental gunshot wound.

He died almost instantly when his revolver fell out of his Chevy Blazer and discharged while he was sitting in the driver's seat in the parking lot of the Garwood Saloon. Larry would have been very proud to say that he died of "gunfire at a saloon," although if he could tell it himself, he might exaggerate and say it was a full-fledged gunfight.

Larry was born Aug. 11, 1943, the second of six children of Vernon Ray Davis and Florence Siothy (Osborn) Davis, at their family homestead on Copper Mountain Road outside Troy. He spent his childhood in the Iron Creek Valley and attended public school in Troy, graduating from Troy High School in 1961.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966. He served 1966-67 in the U.S. Army Aviation Corps in Vietnam as a helicopter mechanic, crew chief and door gunner. His military decorations included the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Bronze Star Unit Award with Presidential Citation, Unit Citation and three Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry.

Larry married Noni Bornschein in the 1970s. They divorced and he later married Donna DeShazer.

He worked for 10 years as a Euclid truck driver at the W.R. Grace & Co. vermiculite mine near Libby, during which time he was exposed to asbestos. He suffered from asbestosis in his later years.

Larry also worked for many years for the Lincoln County Sanitation Department as a driver of the "green grasshopper" (the Dumpster truck) and as the gate attendant at the Troy landfill.

Larry was a talented musician and singer, well-known for his yodeling. He was in many bands throughout his life and was an expert banjo picker, guitarist and bass guitarist. He most recently was the bass player and singer in the Bob Cody Band.

He loved children and played the part of Santa Claus for many years. He even had a Santa suit custom made for himself with thick, absorbent padding on the lap and waist for the inevitable accidents that occurred when parents thrust their frightened children into his waiting arms.

Larry was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, gunsmith and ballistics expert. He wrote the "Powderkeg" column in The Montanian newspaper in Libby from 1989 to 1995. He also had several gun articles published in national magazines. He was a staunch advocate of gun safety and would have been the first to say how ironic it was that he died the way he did.

Larry was preceded in death by his father in 1976, his mother in 2002, a nephew, Kelly Gene Davis in 1975, and a niece, Hope Siothy Davis, in 1976.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Davis, of Kalama, Wash.; four children, daughter Bonni Ford and her husband Tom of Bremerton, Wash., daughter Jeana Stevens and her husband Joe of Lewiston, Calif., son Ward James "Jamie" Davis of Bonner, and daughter Colleen Davis-Burk of Longview, Wash.; seven step-children, Richard Morris of Longview, Wash., Mary Parker of Castle Rock, Wash., Bill Haines of Beaverton, Ore., Dean Morris of Great Falls, and Bambi Bornschein, Buffi Bornschein and Becki Bornschein of Spokane, Wash.; and 19 grandchildren, Shayley, Zack, Michelle, Matthew, Scott, Samantha, Thomas, Tyler, Chelsie, Levi, Layla, Tommy, Abby, Kate, Andrew, Kaymarie, Luke, Miette and Bridget.

He is also survived by two brothers, Charles Davis and wife Betty, and Stanley Davis, all of Troy; and three sisters, Barbara Pence of Troy, Peggy Davis of Winter Park, Fla., and Carol Latham and husband David of Libby. Larry also leaves behind many close nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in western Montana, northern Idaho and eastern Washington.

Per Larry's written instructions, cremation took place and his cremains will be scattered on his property on Copper Mountain Road at a later date.

A private family potluck and gospel music jam session was held on what would have been Larry's 63rd birthday, Friday, Aug. 11, at Fireman's Park in Libby. A public memorial service and hootenanny was held later at Three Lakes Bible Church near Troy, conducted by Larry's son-in-law, Pastor Joe Stevens.

Cremation was by Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Donations can be made in Larry's name to a charity of the donor's choice.