Delmar W. Davis, 87, a life-long resident of Montana, passed away February 17, 2016 at the Rocky Mountain Care Center in Helena after a valiant 2 ½ year battle with leukemia and 5 year battle with COPD. Delmar was born May 11, 1928 to William ‘Tine’ and Blanche (Stevens) Davis in Bozeman. Delmar was the eldest of 5 siblings, which included two sisters and two brothers. He attended elementary school across the Flathead Valley until the family moved to Bozeman, where he attended two years of high school. He quit school hoping to join the armed forces, but was turned away at age 16. In January 1946 at 17, with the help of his mother’s signature, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp. From 1946-1948, he served in Germany and when he was shipped home, he brought along his new purchase of a 1942 Ford Jeep and trailer. After driving his new baby back to Montana from port, he joined the Great Falls Active Air Force Reserve Unit located on Gore Hill. Delmar was recalled to active duty in 1950 for the Korean War and after that stint ended, he returned to Great Falls to complete his reserve status until 1959.
Delmar married his sweetheart, Evelyn Dreidlein of White Sulphur Springs, MT on November 24, 1951. They built a life together and a family of 5 children, two boys and three girls. In the early years, Delmar worked various jobs, including ranching, trucking, railroad switchman and construction across the state of Montana. In 1959 he started his own excavation business, Custom Earthmoving, and was known as ‘Digger O’Dell’. His family lived and farmed in the Fort Shaw valley from 1963-1965, and later on the Fairfield bench from 1968-1981. In 1977 he traded construction for the trucking business, with Helena becoming his home base in 1985. He gave up being on the road and partially retired in 1993, reactivating his excavating business until the end of 2013. Delmar sadly lost Evelyn to cancer in November of 1995 after 44 years of marriage. Delmar married Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Kelsey on New Year’s Eve 1999 and she unexpectedly passed away of a ruptured aorta in February 2012.
Delmar was an avid outdoorsman – enjoying hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and especially horseback riding with his trail riding crew. He thoroughly enjoyed the sport of rodeo and was a member of the East Helena Valley Rodeo Association. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Helena and his faith led him to moving his young family to Canada to attend the Prairie Bible College in the early 60’s. In later years his veteran status became more important to him and he was a familiar face at the VA at Fort Harrison. One of his last great experiences was celebrating his 86th birthday on the last Big Sky Honor Flight to the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. He was the consummate teaser/joker as attested to by all of his family, a multitude of waitresses across the country, and more recently his health care providers. This trait went hand in hand with his distinctive laugh, which could be picked out in a crowd!
Delmar was preceded in death by his parents Tine and Blanche Davis, sister Narcheta Gibson, first wife and mother of his children Evelyn, second wife Beth, brother-in-law Robert Stratton and Gene Dreidlein, sister-in-law Judy (McHugh) Davis and Avis (Davis) Dickens, nephews Wesley and Darrell Davis, niece Michelle Siderius, and grandson Jacob Merritt. Delmar is survived by his siblings Loren Davis (Judy Golob) of Helena, Twyla Stratton of Las Vegas, NV, and Kenny (Jackie) Davis of Twin Falls, ID; his children Mike (Marsha) Davis of Helena, Gary (Gloria) Davis of Choteau, Sue (Jim) Sampson of Phoenix, AZ, Sharon Davis of Helena, and Sheila Davis (Fiancé Charlie Haralson) of Spring Creek, NV; grandchildren David Sampson, Ashley (Kirk) McGilvray, Krysta (Cody) Theriault, Sarah Atkins, Telisha (Tristan) Hutchinson, Mackenzie and Olivia Arndt, Jessica Davis, Heidi (Patrick) Zbella, Naomi and Gideon Merritt; and great-grandchildren Savannah and Hayden Comstock, Kilee and Thadeus Hutchinson, and Penelope Zbella. He is also survived by step-children Jennifer and Frank (Chaunsey) Kelsey and step-grandchildren Alex, Ashley, Toby, Megan, Merek and Connor; as well as numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 26, 2016 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 North Montana Ave., Helena. A reception will follow in the social hall of the funeral home. Following the reception a graveside service with Military honors will take place at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Hero’s Road, Fort Harrison. Memorials are suggested to the Montana Military Museum at PO Box 125, Fort Harrison, MT 59636. The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude for the kind and faithful care provided to Delmar at the Rocky Mountain Care Center, the Fort Harrison Veteran’s Hospital, staff of Rocky Mountain Hospice, Community Home Oxygen and Eagle Ambulance.
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Delmar.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday February 26, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the memorial service
Friday February 26, 2016
Social hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
,
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Friday February 26, 2016
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday February 26, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the memorial service
Friday February 26, 2016
Social hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
,
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Friday February 26, 2016
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana
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Allen Stenhjem Family says
Delmar Family,
Delmar was a great guy an inspiration to do what was needed and have a good time, God Bless…………………..
Shannon & Dennis Meyer says
Delmar family, please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Delmar was a one of a kind guy and I will greatly miss our great conversations we used to get into. Heaven gain another great one. God Bless
Bill and Priss Leslie says
Delmar’s family,
You are in our prayers. Delmar was a great guy..
Dick and Janice says
We are thinking of you at this sad time. We did not know your dad, Mike, but know he must have been a great Dad because he raised a great son!
Andy Ayers says
Delly is one of my favorite people of all time. I’m going to miss him. We rode our horses on a lot of fun trails and I cherish those memories of happy times. Rest in peace, my friend.
Art and Clara Gilreath says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Delmer’s
family
God bless
Ray Golden and family says
Our prayers and thoughts Mike and Marsha to you and all the family
Doug & JoAnne Baum says
So sorry to hear this…prayers to all…Doug has fond memories of working with him & Mike through H & L Drilling …..I know this has got to be hard on you, Sharon…..You and the girls are in my prayers! Never easy to lose a loved one….Hold tight to the memories!
Tony and Cindy Blanton says
Sorry to hear of Delmar’s passing. I first met Delmar when he moved onto the Greenfield Bench out of Fairfield. His place was just north of grandparents farm where I spent my summers. When I needed dirt work done in Birdseye he was rhe man for the job. Then the following summer he put in my septic system. He was a true friend and a hard worker, doing more work in his 80’s then most in there 50’s My last memories with Delmar where when we were invited to ride in the Last Chance Parade last year in the Vette’s for Vets part of the parade!
Valerie R. says
Mike and Marsha,
Sorry to read about Delmar’s health problems and recent death. Always liked him a lot and Evelyn was a sweetheart. Blessings and love from a former church friend now in FL.
Gary & Linda Heidle says
Dear Mike and Marsha–
Sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing. Our love to both of you.
Karen Semple says
I am really going to miss Delmar’s sassy cracks. I enjoyed seeing him frequently at Lewis and Clark Post No. 2, The American Legion. He was very encouraging during my time as commander and then when I assumed other roles. Stopping at the Harris St. Post Office will never be the same. For awhile, we seemed to be there at the same time week after week and I’d go visit him while he dealt with his mail while sitting in his vehicle.
May his memory be a blessing forever.
Beth Sykes says
Delmar was a blessing to me when i first moved to Helena,he invited me to go trail riding with him and the group, It was always a good time with many laughs and smiles. He also introduced me to my husband Dale as they were taking dance lessons and invited me to be his partner, and still is. Thanks Delmar for being a good friend to me…your memory with not be forgotten by me,or all the stories you told and the ones we made together,I loved you …Beth Sykes.God bless.
Pat and Ed Jirsa says
I got to know Del through my business during the time he had his excavating business. He was quite a character and I always looked forward to him gracing my office. He quickly became a valued friend. My husband grew up on a farm, so the two of them had a lot to talk about when they got together. He will truly be missed by both of us.
Jim Sampson says
Delmar was not just my father in law but also my friend. His engaging personality and distinct laughter made many good times for me, my children, and anyone else who spent time with him. He will be missed but his memory will endure for generations.
Carol Bridge says
Sue and Jim, Heaven is a much livelier today because Delmar is there. Much laughter and dancing. May your memories with him be with you forever. Blessings to your family. Carol Bridge