Jere Davis, 87

Jerome Bardsley “Jere” Davis, 87, of Great Falls, a retired banker and a World War II Army veteran, died of natural causes Monday, Sept. 12, 2011, at his residence.

The family would like to greet friends at Schnider Funeral Home in Great Falls for his visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Sept. 14, and one hour prior to the service. Funeral liturgy will be held at noon on Thursday, Sept. 15, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, with burial with military honors to follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery. 

Jere was born Oct. 31, 1923, in Glasgow, to Estelle Marie (Stockman) and  William Bardsley Davis. He was raised in Glasgow and Scobey, and graduated from Glasgow High School.

He joined the Army in January 1943, and served as a tank gunner with the 821st Tank Destroyer Battalion, 29th Infantry Division. He participated in campaigns at Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe before being wounded in action in Siersdorf, Germany, on Nov. 27, 1944. Jere was awarded a Purple Heart and four Battle Stars before being honorably discharged in December 1945, with the rank of corporal.

As a young man, Jere worked on the Etchart Ranch at Tampico, west of Glasgow. After the war, he returned to Montana and attended college in Missoula, graduating from University of Montana with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration.

He worked for Great Falls Production Credit Association and the Federal Land Bank Association. He began his banking career in Butte in 1957, at the Metals Bank. In 1965, he was promoted to president of First Bank in Forsyth.  From 1970 to 1977, he served as president of First Bank in Havre. He completed his banking career at First Bank in Great Falls.

He married Margaret Zink in Carrington, N.D., in 1956, and together they had four children.

Jere was a member of the Montana Banking Association, as well as the Chamber of Commerce in each of the towns where he lived. He was a tireless fundraiser for civic activities and enjoyed volunteering for worthy community causes, as well as church councils.

No matter how busy Jere’s life became, he always had time for his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed walking, golfing, gardening and yard work. He kept his mind sharp over the years by constantly keeping up with and studying economics and politics.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Margaret Davis, of Great Falls; a daughter, Maureen, and Tom Balyeat, and their children, Sebastian Balyeat and Eli Balyeat, all of Great Falls; and sons, Peter and Becky Davis and their children, Connor Davis and Taylor Davis, all of Kalispell, and Martin and Angela Davis and their daughter, Jacinda, all of Bellevue, Wash.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer Davis Hockett; a grandson, Daniel Hockett; and a sister, Joan Galloway.

Memorials are suggested to St. Ann's Kitchen, 715 3rd Ave. N., Great Falls, MT 59401; St. Ann's Restoration Fund, 715 3rd Ave. N., Great Falls, MT 59401; or Great Falls Rescue Mission, 326 2nd Ave. S., Great Falls, MT 59405.

Condolences may be left online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.