Ross Davis

Ross Roosevelt Davis of Mapleton, Utah, age 84, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of September 28, 2017, on the birthday of his beloved wife, Mary Lyn Carter Davis, who preceded him in death in 2005. Ross was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Lorenzo Roosevelt Davis and Winona LaVon Davis on January 28, 1933. He lived in Salt Lake City, Utah; Park City, Utah; Long Beach, California; Templeton, California; and Mapleton, Utah. He was sealed to Lyn in the St. George LDS Temple on July 16, 1954.

Many knew Ross as Dr. Davis, their physician/surgeon in Long Beach, Templeton, and finally Avenal State Prison where he served as Chief Medical Officer for seventeen years. In addition to his medical career, Ross was highly accomplished as a private pilot, experimental aircraft builder, architect, scuba diver, coin collector, pianist, hunter, woodworker, artist (oils), sculptor, snow skier, auto mechanic, farmer, and that just scratches the surface. Ross was honored to serve his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He met Howard Hughes, Eleanor Roosevelt, and assisted with surgeries on Charles Manson and Billie Jean King. He knew Ronald and Nancy Reagan, and was invited to Washington D.C. to interview for Attorney General of the United States.

Ross loved to fly. It was one of the great joys of his life. He flew Cessnas, Pipers, Mooneys, Bonanzas, and whatever else he could arrange, exchange, or trade for so he always had the right aircraft for the purpose at hand. He flew for business, he flew for fun, and he flew his family around on vacations to places near and far. But it wasn’t always that way. By the time he completed medical school, internship, and residency, and was ready to begin his family medical practice, he and Lyn already had five young children. They rented an apartment in back of his parents’ home and packed the whole family in a 1957 VW Beetle to save money for the future he dreamed of providing for his young family.

Ross loved medicine. He loved everything about it. Determined to be the first in his family to earn a college degree, he went on to fight for acceptance to and graduate medical school at a time when the competition was fierce and there was no family history in that field. In the early years, he worked long hours at Pacific or Memorial Hospitals in the Emergency Room, then walked across the street to his medical office which was designed and built by his father, Lorenzo, a general contractor. He cared about his patients and treated them like family, often not charging those in need. In the evening, his “house calls” took him to the homes of those too sick to come to the office. His medical skills were even called upon to help save the life of his wife, Lyn, when stricken with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, stage IIIC, at the age of thirty-seven years, facing a survival rate under five percent. She lived to be seventy-one, and for every bonus year of her life, Ross made sure she had the best medical care available on Earth until her body finally could not endure any longer.

A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ross was called upon to serve in many capacities, including as a bishop (pastor of a local congregation), high councilor, and many teaching and Boy Scouting positions. He was innovative, thoughtful, and compassionate with those whom he served.

In November 2016, Ross suffered a massive, debilitating stroke while at home alone. He had just enjoyed Thanksgiving Day with family in good health, then sometime on Saturday afternoon or evening, the stroke left him unable to call for help. He endured many months of rehab, nursing and hospice care, fighting to recover, but the damage was done. Ross is survived by his five children: Stevan Ross (Leuri) Davis of Provo, Utah; Bradley Garth (Ruth) Davis of Bakersfield, California; Craig Alan (Whitney) Davis of Pleasant Grove, Utah; Kimberly (Don) Lovelace of Springville, Utah; and Dana Denise Griffith of Templeton, California; as well as dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Lyn, his parents, his oldest brother Marvin Davis, his son-in-law Doyle Griffith, and his grandson, Eric Ross Davis.

The family thanks the caring health professionals at Utah Valley Hospital, Orchard Park Rehab, and Beehive Homes of Orem, for their loving and patient care.

A funeral service celebrating the life of Ross Roosevelt Davis will be held in the chapel of Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary located at 495 South State Street in Orem, Utah, on Monday, October 2, 2017, at 6:00 pm. All are invited and welcome to attend.  Flowers or cards may be delivered to Sundberg-Olpin and are gratefully accepted.

SERVICES IN CALIFORNIA:

A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 9th beginning at 10:30 AM for Visitation; 11:30 AM Funeral Services at Dancing Deer Farms -- 2975 Vineyard Drive, Templeton, CA. A Burial and Graveside Ceremony will follow immediately at The Paso Robles Cemetery, Paso Robles, CA at approximately 2:00 PM immediately following the Funeral Service. The family and invited guests will then return to Dancing Deer Farms for a Family Meal and Memories at about 3:00 PM. The public is invited to the Funeral Service and Graveside Ceremony.

Condolences may be left for the family on this page.