Donald Lavere Davies

Donald Lavere Davies
1941- 2025
Donald Davies, age 83, of rural Dawn Missouri passed away peacefully with his family on July 22, 2025 and entered the kingdom of heaven. He was born to Clifton and Mayvee (Applebury) Davies who preceded him in death.
Donald grew up on a farm in Dawn, graduated from Braymer High School and received a Bachelors of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Donald and Diane Thate were united in marriage for 63 years. Their vows were made at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Carrollton Missouri.
Donald was a lifelong farmer and participated in the Extension Mail in Record Program for over 25 years. The family was selected as a Missouri State Farm Family in 1981, was a host of the Young Farmers & Farm Wives tour in 1989 and received the Carroll County Soil & Water Conservation Farmers of the Year award in 2009. He served on the board of Cornett Research Farm in Linneus for several decades and was involved with many other boards and organizations throughout the community and state. For many years he sold and assembled grain bins, his success earned him many overseas trips. Throughout his farming career he was featured in various Missouri Farming periodicals. He liked knowing how things worked and being able to repair machinery using items from his shop.
After retiring from the farm he would continue to attend cattle & forage research symposiums to listen and learn so he could pass knowledge on to his sons and grandkids. He joined BAM (Blacksmiths Association of Missouri) and hosted a meeting/demonstration at his home. He enjoyed working in the shop and made many treasures for his wife and loved buying her flowers. Donald never met a stranger and wasn't afraid of striking up a conversation. Several life long friends were made when he took Diane to her Raggedy Ann and Cookie Cutter festivals. He was very fond of his John Deere tractors big and small. Donald was a loving husband, father and grandfather who will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his wife, Diane Davies, of the home; 4 children who live within a 5 mile radius of the family home, Deborah (Steve) Rodhouse, Daniel (Sandi) Davies, Darrin (Emily) Davies and David Davies; 8 grandchildren, Katie (Devin) Bilbee, Lindsey (Andrew) Scaglione, Jeff Webb, Jennifer (Kip) Kleeman, Michael (Francoise) Webb, Shelby (Matthew) Jenkins, Dustin Davies and Delaney Davies; 7 great grandchildren; 2 siblings Larry (Karlene) Davies and Linda (Dearl) Moore; and his dog Buddy.
Donald was passionate about genealogy and was able to travel to England and Wales to visit friends, family and the farm that his great grandfather immigrated from. This passion led to preserving the Harris Cemetery in Mandeville Missouri. Memorials may be made to Harris Cemetery in care of Poland-Thompson Funeral Home.
A celebration of Donald's life will be held at a later date.
Online condolences: www.polandthompson.com
Arrangements by Poland-Thompson Funeral Home, Cameron, MO.