John B. "Sparkle" Davis

John B. "Sparkle" Davis, 68, a Navy veteran and longtime down-town Great Falls business owner, died of a heart attack Friday at his home.
His memorial service is 10 a.m. Thursday at First Congregational Church UCC. Cremation has taken place under the direction of O'Connor Funeral Home.
John was a beloved husband and father, and dear friend to many local residents.
John was born July 16, 1942, in Great Falls, to Marjorie Elizabeth and William Richard Davis of Great Falls. He was the youngest of four children. His education began at Roosevelt Elementary School, progressed to Paris Gibson Junior High School and then to Great Falls High School. During his school years, he participated in Boy Scouts, hockey, school sports, church groups, baseball and figure skating.
Upon graduating from Great Falls High School in 1960, he joined the United States Navy. After a great train ride to San Diego, he went through the induc-tion of being in the service - "shaved head, uniforms, chow lines and the great time on the grinder." Nine weeks of boot camp were over, and he was sent across the camp to storekeeper school. This was a 12-week school, and on the 11th week he received orders to the Naval Supply Depot in Yokosuka, Japan. He was in Japan for 2½ years - became petty officer 3rd class - played soccer for the base team and was captain of the team before he left and made "Sailor of the Month" while there. John said the best thing about returning stateside was going under the Golden Gate Bridge - "what a beautiful sight." He said the strangest thing was to see men with long hair, women with short skirts and a new dance style where nobody touched each other, called the Twist. In July 1963 he received an honorable discharge.
His earliest jobs were working at his dad's Nash Rambler auto-mobile agency and jewelry store, C.E. Davis & Sons.
He started college full time at the College of Great Falls, majoring in business. He started working part time at his family's jewelry store, C.E. Davis Co., Jewelers, established in 1900 by his grandfather, Chas. E. Davis. John's interest in jewelry grew, and within two years he was at it full time. He started a course at the Gemological Institute of America in Diamond Grading and Evaluation, and received his certificate in 1967. He completed his education and received the highest designation of the American Gem Society, that of registered jeweler, in July 1973.
In August 1973, he opened his own jewelry store, John's Jewel-ers, at 225 Central Ave.
He married Kathryn Lee Kensmoe in August 1970; they divorced six years later.
Throughout his business career, John was president of the Montana Retail Jewelers Associa-tion, a member of the American Gem Society, served as director in the Great Falls Jaycees, was president of the Great Falls Downtown Business Council, was appointed to the Great Falls Trade Commission and was a member of Great Falls Rotary. He was an outstanding contributor to Missouri River Fly Fishers and a proud supporter of Ducks Unlimited and the Sisters of Providence, as well as many other local charities, organizations and causes. It pleased him to be helpful to others.
In 1983, he moved his store down the street to the Times Square building, where it remains today.
In 1979, he met the love of his life, Joyce Muretta, and her three children. They married in 1980. Until the time of his death, he called her "my bride." John and Joyce loved traveling, collecting art, antiquing and golfing. John loved teaching and watching his children grow up. All three have gone on to lead successful and happy lives.
John was fortunate to watch his grandchildren grow up. He taught them how to fish and enjoy the outdoors with an annual family camping trip to Benchmark, Mont., the same place he enjoyed fishing with his father, and where they had a family cabin.
He enjoyed collecting and refinishing fine antiques, fishing, golf, the outdoors, collecting butterflies, photography, bird watching, playing pool on Tuesday nights, weekends at Benchmark with his family and Sunday drives.
John was a true distinguished gentleman with impeccable style and grace. He was a man of outstanding moral character and fairness, and was remarkably generous and patient with every-one.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Davis of Great Falls; a daughter, Jeannie Reeves-Hansen (Lee Hansen) of Raynesford, Mont.; sons Ruell (Paula) Reeves Jr. of Lake Havasu, Ariz., Rob (Faren) Reeves of Escondido, Calif.; sisters Margie (Steve) Barnes of Aurora, Colo., and Marilyn Jones of Annandale, Va.; brother-in-law Joe Muretta of Floweree, Mont.; grandchildren Cole Johnathan Hendrickson of Great Falls, Mont., Davis Ann Reeves, Andrew Joseph Reeves, and James Robertson Reeves, all of Escondido; nieces and nephews, Joseph Muretta, Julie Muretta, Maggie Muretta, Megan Muretta, Bruce Jones, Anna Marie Jones, Mike Johnson, Dan Johnson and Margie Johnson; and many other nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marjorie and Bill Davis; and a brother, Charles Davis.
John B. Davis will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
The family suggests memorials in honor and memory of John Davis to the University of Great Falls, 1301 20th St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405.
Condolences may be posted online at www.oconnorfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.