Thomas “Tom” Trevor Davis, 83, died early Friday, April 5, 2024, at Lewiston Transitional Care of Cascadia in Lewiston, after several challenging years with his health. He now resides in heaven with his Savior Jesus Christ.
Tom was born Sept. 25, 1940, in DuQuoin, Ill., but lived most of his early life in Northwest Indiana, primarily in Merrillville and Crown Point. His parents were Thomas Ray and Violet Theone (nee McMurray) Davis. His father was a railroad engineer for the EJ&E Railroad in the steel mills of Gary, Ind., and a World War II Army veteran. His mother was a homemaker. His parents later divorced and each remarried; Thomas to Norma and Violet to Charles Clark. Following graduation from Merrillville High School and working in the steel mill, Tom earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Secondary Science from Valparaiso University and later a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Ball State University.
Tom and his wife Lisa moved to Grangeville in 1975. He had taught science for eight years at the junior high level prior to moving. In Grangeville he taught 26 years in Grangeville Elementary School, all but one year in fifth grade. He had taken additional classes beyond his Master’s degree to become elementary certified prior to moving to Idaho. In asking several teachers about the best grade to teach, the consensus was fifth grade. Tom thoroughly enjoyed that age group. With his science background he did many memorable special projects with his students. Classroom-made individual microscopes (with help of many parents preparing components), test-tube ice cream where students calibrated their own blank thermometers and learned about salt’s effect has on ice, individual matchbox cars with races down the hallway ramp, a hovercraft from a truck inner tube, classroom rats cared for by students, and other hands-on activities made lasting memories for students.
Outside of his job Tom was an avid hunter and fisher: white tail and mule deer, elk and bear with rifle and bow; Hungarian and chukar partridge, pheasants and turkeys; and trout, steelhead, salmon and small-mouth bass with fly rods and spinning rods. He made fly rods and tied flies. He enjoyed being outdoors — hiking, backpacking and working on the property to clear it and plant hundreds of trees and shrubs. He once had a memorable experience with a mountain lion stalking him as he waited camouflaged during a turkey hunt, and several exciting adventures rafting and canoe fishing. He participated in some competitive archery and pistol shoots, and enjoyed various shotgun activities.
Tom read a great deal and particularly enjoyed history topics. The Civil War, World War II, Nez Perce history, and naval adventures were favorites. He built three boats, learning how to work with fiberglass to do so.
He and Lisa built their home, doing the vast majority of labor themselves. Not having a background in building, he read how to do framing, electrical, plumbing and all manner of building skills, and asked experts on how to do things the right way. He dearly loved his five dogs (Jack, Brandy, Sunny, Denver and Brigit) over the years and tolerated four cats.
Tom is predeceased by his parents. He is survived by wife Lisa (nee Harper) at home, brother Darrell (Cherie) Davis and their daughter Amanda of Indiana, his former wife Linda (nee Luedtke) Gilpin of Indiana, son Jeffrey Davis of Colorado and his daughter, and daughter Diane (Mike) Luce of Indiana and their four children and five grandchildren.
Tom said several times in the last years of his life that he was looking forward to heaven, knowing that he was a baptized and forgiven child of God. He had several talks with Lutheran pastors about salvation through belief in Jesus Christ, who is the only path to God the Father, maker of all that is. He had great comfort in knowing the hope of everlasting life to come.
The Lutheran funeral service is planned for 11 a.m. Friday, April 12, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 210 Mill St., Grangeville. Interment will immediately follow at Prairie View Cemetery in Grangeville. A luncheon will be available at church following the cemetery committal service. Blackmer Funeral Home of Grangeville is in charge of arrangements. Send condolences to the family at blackmerfuneralhome.com.
The family requests no flowers or plants, and no food. In lieu of those, give flowers or food to your living loved ones whether they are family, neighbors, friends or community members. Monetary memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church in Grangeville, Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) in Grangeville, or a wildlife organization of your choice.
