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Ralph Davis Obituary
His memorial service is 4 p.m. Friday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Centerville, with burial of ashes in Sand Coulee Cemetery. Cremation has taken place under the direction of O'Connor Funeral Home.
Survivors include his wife, Beatrice (Mapston) Davis of Stockett; daughters Betty (Ed) Kunkel and Linda (James) Kapp of Stockett; sons Ronald (Sherilu) Davis of Stockett and Allen (Zoe) Davis of Billings; sisters Mary Heynie of Libby and Alice Needles of Missoula; 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Ralph was born to George and Ida Davis on Nov. 13, 1926, in Polson. He was raised there and graduated from Polson High School in 1945.
He married Beatrice Mapston on June 3, 1950, at the Stockett Catholic church.
Ralph started driving a school bus his senior year of high school for his brother Walt. In 1960, he and Bea purchased and operated their own school bus route for Centerville schools through 1975.
Ralph started his mechanic career in 1950, working for Haas and Associates, a farm implement business. In 1960, he and Bea also started ranching.
He was a lifelong mechanic and could fix anything from a coffee pot to a diesel. Two years ago, he assisted his son Ron and grandson Reese repair a rear-end on a pickup.
Ralph was a board member at Centerville schools and belonged to the Masons, Elks, Moose and Foothills Livestock Association. He enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing and family activities.
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Lulu Sager, George Davis, Walt Davis, Violet Koehler, Frank Davis, Inez Mefford, Raymond (Sunny) Davis, Esther Robbe and Lenore Larson; and one grandchild, Talina Davis.
Memorials are suggested to Centerville Senior Citizens; Alzheimer's Foundation or the donor's choice.
Condolences may be posted online at www.mem.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ralph Davis
Bethany Hendrickson
May 22, 2008
Bea and Family -
We remember many fun times with Ralph, especially all the kidding around he did and the love and joy he shared! What a wonderful man.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Helen Doyle and
Bethany and family
Robin (Swenson) Besselman
May 22, 2008
Dear Davis Family,
I'm sorry to hear of your loss.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Fran Feller
May 22, 2008
Bea and Family
My prayers are with you in your time
of grief.May your memories bring
you comfort.
Donna Borgstrom Houle
May 22, 2008
To Bea and family.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have often thought of you, Bea and Ralph through the years. Two very wonderful, kind people. So many good memories riding your bus to school and taking me in your home when we were to be snowed in. I never forgot your smiles and kindness. I feel honored to know you. Bless your family at this time.
Linda, my thoughts are with you.
Jeanne Parenteau
May 22, 2008
Bea and family---Ben and I were sorry to hear about Ralph. As you all know he was a good man. He always had a smile for everyone, and a good story or two. May God Bless you all at this time, and know that there are alot of people out here praying for you, and thanking God for putting Ralph in their path of this short life we all have. Love to you all Jeanne and Ben Parenteau
Kathy Marko
May 21, 2008
Dear Linda, and Randy, I am so sorry for your loss. If you need anything please let me know. Kathy Marko
Karrie Becker
May 21, 2008
Bea and Famiily
I am so sorry for your loss. i took care of Ralph when he first came to missouri river manor. He was a wonderful man and made the days i worked feel wonderful. Thanks for letting me know such a man as he.
Tressa Tokerud
May 21, 2008
Jalyn and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My prayers are with you.
Diane Mills
May 21, 2008
Dear Beatrice and Families;
You have my sincere sympathy in the loss of Ralph, I know he will be missed by you all, but to the community all so, he did so much for so many. Hang on to your memories, they get you threw the hard times.
Judy Thurman
May 21, 2008
Dear Bea, Our thoughts and prayers our with you during this difficult time. Ralph was a very special person to so many. May you find comfort in your blessings. Peace to you and your family.
Cassandra Sappinton
May 21, 2008
Dear Davis Family,
We are sincerely sorry for your loss.
Dale & Cassie Sappington
May 21, 2008
Lindsey & family,
Thinking of you at this trying time. I hope the memories of your wonderful grandfather will help get you through this.
-Elaine & Lyle
William G. Sigler
May 21, 2008
With sincere sympathy for your loss.
From a Masonic friend.
Christine Williams
May 21, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Dale and Linda Stoverud
May 21, 2008
Dear Bea and family,
We are very saddened to learn of Ralph's passing. The world could use more men like Ralph, and we are sure that while mourning your loss, you are also celebrating Ralph being in your lives. Back in the 80's, we lived at Hugh and Birdie Dundee's place, just down the road. We'll always remember Hugh's advice before he left, stating, "If anything goes wrong, just call Ralph...he knows everything." He was a fine neighbor to that community, and we always remember our short stay there with Ralph and Bea as neighbors. We trust that your strength in the coming days will come from your faith and family, and our thoughts and prayers are with you in the days ahead.
The congregation at Calvary Chapel of Great Falls
May 21, 2008
Dear Beatrice and family,
We extend deepest condolences for your loss of Ralph. May the Lord, Jesus Christ, lovingly restore your broken hearts and fill your lives with his comfort and peace. You will be remembered in our prayers.
Twylite Johnson
May 21, 2008
Dear Davis Family,
Thinking of you all. Wishing you hope in the midst of sorrow,
comfort in the midst of pain.
With Heartfelt Sympathy,
Twylite
Jean Kuhn
May 21, 2008
Deaar Beatrice and family,
You have our sincere sympathy in the loss of Ralph. I know that this may be a very difficult time but I hope God gives you peace and comfort in knowing that he is no longer suffering.
God Bless you all.
Jean (Raunig) Kuhn
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