Gary Anthony Davis, 71, peacefully passed away from cancer, surrounded by his loving family, at his Whitefish ranch on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.

Gary was born the eldest of 13 children on March 13, 1937, in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Don Clar Davis and Elizabeth Margaret (Anthony) Davis.

Gary attended St. Mary's and St. Patrick's Grade Schools, and Catholic Central High School, in Ottumwa. He received his GED in Denver.

Gary enlisted on March 22, 1954, in the Iowa Army National Guard Artillery Unit. He was awarded the Sharpshooter Submachine Gun Medal. He served three years, being honorably discharged on March 21, 1957.

On July 16, 1955, Gary married his sweetheart, Karen Caviness, in Ottumwa. They raised four children, two boys and two girls. While in Ottumwa, Gary was employed by Lowenburg Bakery, Davis DX Service Station, Wormhoudt Lumber and Sutherland Lumber.

After moving to Denver in 1960, he was employed by Kellogg Lumber Co. for 23 years. He worked his way from yard manager to general manager of the company.

After the death of his daughter Lisa in 1982, he went into business for himself as a transportation analyst. In 2003, Gary and Karen joined other members of their family in Northwest Montana, where Home Depot employed Gary until the summer of 2006, when he retired.

Gary was a family man, loving husband and father. He was especially proud of his grandchildren. He enjoyed the outdoors, family activities, hunting, target shooting and talking "guns" at John's gun shop with his brothers.

He was a great jokester, and loved making everyone laugh. He was loved and respected by those who knew him.

Gary was preceded in death by his daughter Lisa; his father, Donald C. Davis; his brother Donald M. Davis; and nephew Jacob Davis.

Gary is survived by his wife, Karen, Whitefish; sons, Doug and Susan, Kalispell, and Terry, Columbia Falls; daughter, Kim and Aaron Wides, Columbia Falls; his mother, Elizabeth, Whitefish; brothers, David and Sue, Kalispell, Bernard, Denver; John and Terri, Coram, Thomas and Bonnie, Columbia Falls, Michael and Susie, Columbia Falls, and Dennis, Missoula; sisters, Donna and Monty Graham, Columbia Falls, Mary and Mike Ogden, Columbia Falls, Linda and Jeff Stonner, Denver, Anna Marie and Ed Pettinger, Denver, and Jeanne Darling, Columbia Falls; eight grandchildren, Katie, Ashley, Natalie, Jessica, Chase, Amanda, Colton and Chance, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was recently told his granddaughter, Katie and husband Brian are presenting him with a great-grandchild next year.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. today, Sept. 9, at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls, with burial at St. Richard's Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.