Russell Theodore Davis

Russell Theodore "BUD" Davis, a resident of Rimrock, AZ, died on October 11, 2008 at the age of 83. He was born on August 1, 1925 in Protection, Kansas. The family moved to a farm in Aetna, Kansas in 1928. Bud was doing a man\u0027s job by the time he was 10 years old. On the farm for the Davis children, rising early was the order of the day and chores included feeding the stock and milking cows. Attending school wasn\u0027t much back then, but the horseback ride to and from school held some special memories. If you\u0027ve seen the movie "The Grapes of Wrath," you\u0027ll recognize the next chapter in his life story. Those difficult times sent the family west to California. There the family would live in tarred shacks, and Bud drove a horse drawn wagon through the vineyards, loaded boxes of grapes, and picked fruit to make ends meet. Enduring those hardships only made him stronger and more capable. On Sunday morning, Dec. 7, 1941, Japan\u0027s attack on Pearl Harbor would bring America into what would become World War II. He was too young at that time, but before his 18th birthday, he joined the Navy and would serve with the Armed Guard as a gunner aboard the liberty ship, SS William A. Coulter. The following was issued by the Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals on May 15, 1945 and describes some of the action he would witness during his time in service: "Meritorious performance of duty. Performed creditable service as a member of the Armed Guard Crew of the SS William A. Coulter during action against enemy aircraft of Leyte, Philippine Islands in November 1944. Although the ship was subjected to intense strafing attacks with planes crashing on the deck and alongside, the Armed Guard Crew without hesitation remained at their battle stations, sending one plane crashing into the sea and aiding in the destruction of two others." Seaman First Class Russell Theodore Davis would finish up his term of service on March 16, 1946. Later that same year he would marry Carole JoAnn Williams. Interestingly, their wedding date was December 7th. It was also JoAnn\u0027s 16th birthday. Sixteen was young even then, but the bond was strong, and that marriage held together for nearly 54 years, when JoAnn succumbed to cancer. Two children would be the fruits of their marriage, Randell Keith on Feb 1, 1948 and Diana Lynn on Nov 25, 1950. To earn a living and care for his family; he went into construction and would retire 30 plus years later as a Journeyman carpenter and building contractor. Over the years, he would lovingly acquire the name "Grumpy." But, those closest to him knew that beneath that gruff exterior was one of the most loving, generous, and compassionate people they had ever known. They laughed more at his way to tell a joke, than at the joke itself; and would feign fear at his crotchety commands. However, they always knew that Grumpy would drive numerous miles just to screw in a light bulb or to help out in anyway that he could. Bud was preceded in death by his father, Robert "Tad"; mother, Amy; three of his sisters, Mae, Bessie, Ruby; his daughter, Diana; and his, wife JoAnn. Bud is survived by his sister, Marg; his son, Randy and Randy\u0027s loving partner, Karen; together with many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His Grandchildren: Carynn Davis of Flagstaff, AZ, Justin Davis of Schaumburg, Ill, Kyle Davis of N. Hollywood, CA, Kevin and Kaelyn Ordean of Flagstaff, AZ, Jason and Jenna Ordean of Park City, UT, Lynne Ordean and Rusty Baldwin of Cornville, AZ, John and Kelly Ordean of Park City, UT. His Great Grandchildren: Devynn and Noa Bass; Mia, Tyler, Sidney, Skyler and Cambria Ordean; and, Emma Schraner. His ashes along with those of his late wife, JoAnn, will be interned at the Prescott National Veteran\u0027s Cemetery in Prescott, Arizona. Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Family Memories Carynn Davis: There are not enough words in the world to describe or do justice to Grumps. He was my "grampy" until my daughters were born, where his name morphed into "grumpy", although I think he was grumpier before the grandkids came around. I, luckily, never saw that belt that he kept on his hip. I think it must have been a generation thing....girls don\u0027t get spanked...or it could have been GG, my grams, who told him to promise he would never spank me. My daughters never saw that belt either. I think he reserved his belt for my mischievous brothers and cousins. They all have their own funny stories about that belt. Everyone has their stories about Grumps and his Coors, his giant jugs of wine, or his multiple packs of cigarettes...I remember once I hid all of his matches and told him he needed to stop smoking because I had a bad dream that he died on a liquor store floor in my presence. Well...he didn\u0027t stop smoking and he didn\u0027t die on a liquor store floor...but...I almost saw the belt for that stunt. Grumps has been there for me and my girls in numerous ways. He has been there to support us in all of our endeavors. He made me feel safe and secure. He loved me without prejudice and judgment. He taught me patience and tolerance. He reminded me that we are not perfect and we need to be forgiving of our own mistakes and the mistakes of others. Oh....he also taught me how to use an electric drill?! Grumps...the girls and I love you and thank you for your continued presence in our lives. Justin Davis: Russell, Bud, Gramps, Grandpa, Grandad, Grumpy.... A man of many names and some seriously fast hands. As a boy I knew grandpa as a beer drinking, wine drinking, cigarette smoking, poker playing, and butt smacking man. I remember one day when I had gotten a toy dart gun. I was wetting the darts and firing them off at one of the old wall heaters in gramps and grams house. To be fair grandpa gave me a warning, "you fire another dart at that heater and I\u0027m gonna whip your tail!" I don\u0027t know what possessed me to reload that gun and pull the trigger, but I swear as soon as the dart left the barrel I could feel the searing pain of gramp\u0027s belt licking across my behind. I cried and ran off to grandma for support. How many people do you know who wear their belt with the buckle on the hip so they can take it off faster? I only know one :). When grandpa wasn\u0027t smacking tail, he was taking me fishing. I can recall gramps taking me to Wilderness Park to go fishing. Now I don\u0027t remember ever catching a fish, but I do remember having a good time. I think I still have that tackle box lying around somewhere. Now I don\u0027t know how correct this story is, but this is how I knew it to be. Gramps, a man who had been smoking since he was 11 years old, quit cold turkey after his first great grandchild was born. I believe he was given an ultimatum - quit smoking or don\u0027t plan on seeing your great grandchild much. How many people do you know can just quit smoking that easily? That\u0027s some serious inner strength and will power. I think that\u0027s when I realized that behind his rough exterior, he was really a softy. I don\u0027t think he could bear not getting to visit with the newest addition to the Davis family (either that or grandma gave him hell). As I started making my journey from boy to man, I noticed a change in my relationship with grandpa. I suddenly found myself talking to him about life and the different events that he had experienced. No longer was he just grandpa; he was now a close friend. He was another man that I could confide in. This man had lived, he\u0027d seen so much. Sometimes it took some prying, but I managed to get him to talk about his past. I was always interested in his experiences during WWII. I think me joining the military helped to secure a tighter bond with him. I grew up and matured (don\u0027t laugh) and I think that made it easier for us to communicate. As grandpa aged his heart grew stronger, not weaker. He wanted to help everyone, even if it was a burden to him. I guarantee that this man brought some kind of joy to every one of his family or friends. Now, grandpa, being the great man that he was, had a strong supporting cast. Grandma, dad, mom, DD, John, all the kids, family and friends. We\u0027ve all played a pretty important part in gramps life. We helped mold him into who he became, whether it was giving him a hard time or just hanging out with him. I think gramps really loved and appreciated all of us. I can honestly say that I believe grandpa was happy when he finally decided to head off into his next adventure, whatever it may be. I think he is content knowing that he has a strong group of individuals who will continue his legacy of looking out for each other. He is truly a special man. I am extremely happy and blessed that grandpa got to spend some time with my better half, Yvonne. He accepted her and loved her just like anyone else in the family. I couldn\u0027t have asked for more. So as I end this little speech, I\u0027d like to say that Grandpa will never leave us. He is and always will be a part of each and every one of us. There will always be a time when something will remind us of him and we will reach back into our memories and get that warm feeling in our hearts. So, on that note - Gramps.... I love you and don\u0027t you dare stop giving \u0027em hell. Lynne Ordean: Mindy (my horse) was always such a pickle that there were times I could only ride her if Grandpa wrestled the bridle on her! This was in Malibu Lake when Dad and Dee Dee lived there and I even rode parking lot security at the Renaissance Faire across the street (thanks to Grandpa that is!). Also, same house, I was away for a weekend and a big fire came through. Well some folks were going up and down the road with a horse trailer and Grandpa and Dad managed to get one horse in but this huge fireball came through and Grandpa literally was holding her with nothing but a telephone pole in the way and didn\u0027t even have time to get her in the trailer. Once the fireball went through, the horse manure in her stall was burning, so no doubt he saved her life, even though she was such an ornery horse! I think he had a love/hate relationship with her, but he helped me immeasurably. Also he could pitch a mean game of horseshoes! I will truly miss him.