Gerald Edwin Davis

Our dear beloved father, Gerald Edwin Davis (91), returned to his heavenly home on April 15th, 2023. We are happy for his joyful reunion with his wife Marilyn and other loved ones.

Gerald was born on July 12th, 1931, in Annabella, Utah to Lorenzo Edwin Davis and Vivian Roberts Davis. He grew up in a happy home in Richfield with siblings he loved - two older sisters and two younger brothers.

At age 7, while at play, Gerald had an accident that would change the remainder of his life. Due to a broken arm that was too tightly cast, he was left paralyzed from the elbow down. At that tender age he moved far from his family for a year to receive medical care in an unsuccessful attempt to restore the function of his arm. Despite this difficult trial, he adapted and thrived and never let it keep him from doing the things he needed and wanted to do in his life. It truly shaped the strong and spiritual individual we know as our father.

He had a great life growing up in a small town. He shared many stories about feeding pigs and chickens, gardening, doing his paper route, and experiencing fun scouting adventures in the mountains. He loved playing with his brothers and teasing his older sisters. He loved his family with all his heart. At the young age of 6 he started learning carpentry skills from his father. His mother taught him to work hard at home and to always treat others with kindness.

Gerald had a unique opportunity to serve a mission with his family at age 17. This came when his father was called on a church-building mission to the Southern States for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He worked hard alongside his father building chapels. He graduated from Lanier High, an all-boys school in Macon, Georgia. He met and made many new friends, learning valuable things that he was very grateful for all of his life.

Gerald also served in the Louisiana-Texas mission where he loved sharing the gospel and serving the people there. After his mission he attended the University of Utah, graduating with a pharmacy degree in 1955.

He met his lovely wife Marilyn in Richfield. They were married on April 20th, 1956, in the Manti Temple. He built their first home in Richfield where they welcomed their first child, Jeanette. After several moves, including one to St. Maries, Idaho, they settled in Centerville, Utah. There they raised their 6 children in a beautiful home which he built. He worked hard to provide for them in his pharmacy career and was well known and loved in that community.

Gerald taught his family through the way he lived, the service he rendered, and the care he gave to his wife, our dear mother, for many years through her illness. He loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He served and volunteered his time to the Lord in many callings and in many capacities.  He served in the Bountiful temple for 13 years. He bore his testimony often and testified of his love of his Father in Heaven and of the Savior.

He had a deep love of gardening and always had a beautiful and abundant garden. He shared the fruits of his labors with everyone around him. He taught his children the value of hard work and a love for gardening as well.

Gerald truly enjoyed camping, fishing, and hunting. He loved woodworking and made many beautiful furniture pieces for their home. He was an avid and devoted sports fan of his alma mater, the University of Utah. He loved going to all of the football and basketball games and cheering them on with family. 

He cherished each of his children, 25 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. He loved spending time with them.

A very special thank you to Stefanie and Ashlie, the hospice nurses. They cared for our dad in such a cheerful and loving way and he always looked forward to their visits.  We also want to thank the nurses and staff at Barton Creek for their amazing care during the last several months - you will all be missed.

Gerald will be dearly missed by his children - Jeanette Sadler (Joel), Gregory Edwin (Wendi), Catherine Merrill (Lynn), Lisa Ann, Elaine Isbell (Stuart), Marcia Cornell (Jim Dunford) - his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his brother, Robert L Davis.

Gerald is preceded in death by his wife Marilyn Harward Davis, his parents, sisters Carol Harden and June Crawford, brother John Stanley Davis, and granddaughters Angela Merrill and Lauren Lacey Isbell.

A funeral service will be held for family and friends at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22nd, 2023, at the LDS Chapel, 2110 North Main Street, Centerville, UT 84014, where a viewing will be held from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Interment at Bountiful City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/Pp4dxCa1IbQ?feature=share