Dwight Davis

1937 - 2017

Davis, Dwight Shaler
Dwight Shaler Davis began his mortal journey on August 3, 1937, in Pontiac, Michigan. Despite a brief, but valiant battle against Leukemia, Dwight passed peacefully away on Saturday, June 17, surrounded by his loving family. The 79 years that he lived weren't enough for all who knew and loved him, but we are comforted by our faith in a Heavenly Father who has a vision larger than our own. Born to World War I and II survivor, Hubert Vincent Davis, and the beautiful and talented Theodosia Thurston Shaler, Dwight was raised in Michigan and graduated from Cranbrook School, a college preparatory high school in Bloomfield Hills, MI. He played baseball, football, and basketball. His love for basketball continued throughout his life, which he enjoyed playing into his 60's. He also enjoyed participating in theater productions and church road shows. He earned a business degree at University of Michigan, was the Glee Club President, and was one of the eight founding members of the Friars. Throughout his life his well-developed singing voice enhanced musical productions such as Handel's "Messiah." If a congregation was lucky enough to have him attend their service, they would quickly notice that the quality of their group singing had drastically improved. His powerful testimony through song soothed the hearts of all who had the privilege of hearing his deep bass voice. He loved the restored gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His convictions were so deep, that soon after his conversion, he served a two and a half year mission to Germany. He was converted to the gospel largely because of the principal of eternal marriage and when the deep blue eyes of Marjorie Dearwyn Sundwall met his, he pursued and succeeded in capturing her heart. Their courtship was a long distance one, and after nearly a year of weekly letters, they sealed their love with an eternal marriage in the Salt Lake Temple on May 29, 1964. Through their 53-year union, 5 children were born: Heather Anne, Denning Shaler, and surprise twins, Elizabeth Lindsay and Janet Elaine, followed by Vincent West. They have 22 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren to date, who will miss their kind and patient Grandpa deeply. His active membership in the Mormon church gave him an opportunity to serve as a Young Single Adult Bishop, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, twice as Young Men's President and Stake Clerk, and his last beloved calling was as a Counselor in the Tempe Alameda Ward Bishopric. He pursued family history during the last few years of his life and found tremendous joy in the work that he and his children and grandchildren were able to do for deceased loved ones in the temple. Dwight was a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser and Designated Member of the Appraisal Institute. Dwight's career includes stints in commercial banking and real estate lending from the late 1960s through early 1980s. He underwrote loans for a savings and loan association before joining two mortgage companies and ultimately formed his own company. His attention turned to appraising on a full-time basis in the '80s. He founded Davis Valuation Group in 1995, which is continued today by his 2 sons and son-in-law. He also served 20 years in the Air Force Reserves.
The memorial service will be held at 11am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 2707 S. College Ave., Tempe Stake Center. There will not be a viewing prior to services; instead, there will be a receiving line after the services. Dwight would wish a contribution of your heart to honor him. He would hope that, "there should be no contention one with another. . .having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another." (Book of Mormon, Mosiah 18:21).