Larry Joe Davis

Larry Joe Davis, born October 24, 1943, passed away on November 15, 2025, with the love of his life, Kay, by his side. Fittingly it was his dad, Robert Davis' birthday, who was his biggest idol and mentor.

Larry grew up in the far east corner of the Owyhee, in Adrian, Oregon. He was one of five children: Darlene, Donna, John, and Sandy. His parents, Bob and Helen Davis, had moved a two-room dance hall by a team of horses and wagon a few miles up from Succor Creek Canyon in 1946 to their ranch. In 1956, they added on a sleeping porch in which they used quart jars filled with hot water wrapped in towels to keep warm. He was always so proud of the way he was raised. He was surrounded by love and taught to be loyal, work hard, and family was everything. During high school, Larry played football and according to his coach, Larry was one of the toughest and best player he had coached - little but mighty.

Larry spent most of his time working on the ranch learning how to be an expert horseman from his dad. He started riding calves at the brandings. One night he decided to enter the calf riding at the Caldwell Night Rodeo. To his surprise, he won it! This was the start of his bull riding career. He qualified to the high school rodeo finals in Valentine, Nebraska, where he won second in the nation in the bull riding and placed in a round in the bareback riding. From there, he went to PRCA rodeos. In 1963, at the young age of 19, he won his favorite rodeo, the Pendleton Roundup. He also split the win at Fort Worth Stock Show in 1971. Top honors at Puyallup, Washington. He was a two-time winner of Moses Lake, Washington. He won the Wilderness Circuit Finals in 1979 and 1980. He landed just short of making the NFR on multiple occasions.

In 1968, Larry met the love of his life, Kay Hindman. They continued to rodeo and raise their two boys, Bobby and Jace. Their life consisted of stories of many lifetime friends, two little feral boys, making lots of amazing horses and a love that only dreams are made of.

In 1981, tragedy struck and Larry broke his neck at Union, Oregon. This ended his bull riding career. He not only rode bulls but was a very talented horseman. He got recruited by Don Dodge to ride cow horses in California. He learned a lot and made a great friend but went back to the ranch. His favorite pastime was to chase wild horses with the BLM. Larry's stories of chasing wild horses were wild and his favorite to tell. He was recognized by the BLM for his service. Kay and Larry were able to purchase their own ranch in 1978. They turned a rundown piece of property and shack into a farmable, livable, piece of heaven. In 1982, Larry started his judging career with the PRCA. For 25 years he judged the NFR and was in the inaugural Wrangler PRORODEO judging team, as well as being honored the judge of the year three times. He was known for his honesty, knowledge, and mentorship. He called it how he saw it. After retiring, he helped start up the animal welfare division for the PRCA and was the head of the that for three years.

In his later years, he continued to run his cows and be the best Papa ever. His grandkids: Sydney and Celie, Bobby and Katie's kids; and Atticus and Jasper, Jace and Tiffany's kids. His grandkids were the light of his life. Larry was a role model to many. The best smile that could light up a room. He was the most giving soul. It was never unusual to have many visitors that may stay a day or months.

He is survived by his loving wife, Kay; his children: Bobby Davis and his wife, Katie, and grandkids, Sydney and Celie; Jace Davis and his wife, Tiffany, and grandkids, Atticus and Jasper; sisters: Donna Elordi and Sandy Taylor and husband, Terry, and niece, Kaycee Taylor; brother, John Davis and his wife, Lisa; nieces, Abby (Mason) Michaelis and Britt (Ali); and nephews, Dan (Renee) Williams and Marvin Williams; sister-in-law, Lucy (Steve) Schnabele; niece, Tracy DiBenedetti; and nephews, John Schnabele and Sean Schnabele.

Larry is preceded in death by his mother and father, Bob and Helen Davis; sister, Darlene (Rusty) Williams; and nephew, Shawn Taylor; many grand nieces and nephews who he adored; and cousins that he made many childhood memories with.

He was so proud of his family, ranch, horses, and where he came from. His legacy lives on - he was a true cowboy. The soft spoken, hell of a cowboy will never be forgotten!

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 2:00 pm at the Owyhee Community Center in Homedale. Arrangements are under the care of Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Homedale. (208) 459-0833

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the PRCA cowboy crisis fund.