Jay Davis

Jay Neil Davis passed away peacefully on October 3, 2025, in South Jordan, Utah, surrounded by family including his wife Carol, all of his children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren that loved and adored him. We had two beautiful, powerful days gathering as family to laugh, cry, remember, and strengthen bonds as we spent time together with him.
Jay was born in Homedale, Idaho, on January 8, 1940, to Daniel Davis and Fern Wright. He was raised in rural Idaho, where he learned from his parents the value of hard work, family love, and always doing his best. He cherished his siblings and worked throughout his life to strengthen their close relationships.
Jay graduated from Filer High School in 1958 and went on to earn a Naval ROTC scholarship to the University of Washington, where he graduated in Mechanical Engineering. While there, he proudly played in the marching band, joking for years that he "played in the Rose Bowl in 1960 and 1961"-only later admitting it was as a band member, not on the football team. During college he was active in the LDS Institute, where he met his sweetheart, Sharlene Gordon, and formed friendships that would last a lifetime.
Jay and Sharlene married in August of 1962 and began their life together as he served in the U.S. Navy. His naval career took them across the country and finally to Oahu, Hawaii, where he served as Chief Executive Officer aboard the USS Stonewall Jackson, a nuclear-powered submarine based out of Pearl Harbor during the Vietnam War. He often said of that experience, "I wouldn't trade it for a million dollars-and I wouldn't do it again for two." While Jay and Sharlene lived in Hawaii they developed a deep love for the Hawaiian people and culture, forming enduring friendships there.
After resigning from the Navy, Jay returned to Idaho, working at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory as a reactor manager and later as manager of nuclear waste facilities. Always entrepreneurial, in 1979 he pursued his dream of owning a business and opened several restaurants in Twin Falls and Boise with his friend Newell Walker and relocated to Filer. He loved being back in his hometown and built his dream home across the street from his sister, Nancy. However in 1984, they made the difficult decision to sell the restaurant and return to work at INEL. They built a home in Shelley where they made lots of great memories with their children and grandchildren.
Following his retirement in 2001, Jay and Sharlene served in a young single adult ward at BYU–Idaho, where they loved supporting the students' spiritual growth. They had always planned to serve a fulltime mission as soon as he retired, however, his bouts with prostrate cancer and peripheral neuropathy got in the way and then Sharlene's health started to decline. She passed away in March of 2013.
Family was the heart of Jay's life. He took genuine interest in each of his children-Sean, Erin, Ashli, Ryan, and Tim and taught them to work hard, love deeply, and follow the Savior's example. He was known for making everyone feel valued and for creating opportunities to gather and make memories. The Davis family shared countless adventures-yearly Lake Powell trips, Hawaii adventures, snow skiing, snow machining, camping, and many road trips-all filled with laughter and love.
Following Sharlene's passing in 2013, Jay reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Carol Nicolson Louw. Both having lost their spouses, they found joy and companionship in one another and were married that June. Together they shared twelve wonderful years filled with love, travel, and service-including time volunteering at the Utah State Prison and with Tiny Tim's Toys. Jay's family will forever be grateful to Carol and her family for their love and care for him in his final years.
Jay's faith in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints guided his life. The church was an important place where he served, worked hard and developed deep meaningful friendships. He served faithfully in many callings, including Scoutmaster and Bishop of the Filer 1st Ward. His time as Scoutmaster was especially dear to him, helping him gain a great testimony of the value of outdoor activities and the scouting method of helping boys grow into men, and helping them achieve their Eagle Scout Awards.
Jay loved the Savior and exemplified His teachings through service, integrity, and love for others. His influence will live on in the lives of his family and all who knew him.
Jay is survived by his wife, Carol, and her family; his children Sean (Candice), Tim (Susan), Erin (Steve), Ashli (Brandon), Ryan (Haylee); 29 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and siblings Don, Nancy (Gerald), and Joyce (Torrey). He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Sharlene, grandchildren Courtney and Andrew, sister Sandy, sister-in-law Beverly, and his parents, Dan and Fern Davis.
Funeral Services
Friday, October 10 – Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, Utah
• Viewing: 11:30–12:45 p.m.
• Memorial Service: 1:00 p.m.
(Live stream available on the funeral home website)
Saturday, October 11 – Twin Falls, Idaho
• Graveside Service: 11:00 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, 296 Kimberly Road
• Celebration of Life and Lunch: 12:30 p.m. at the home of Jerre and Shannon Tews, 2454 E. 4000 N., Filer, Idaho
(Live stream link and additional details to follow)