Brian J. Davis

Brian J. Davis, age 74, passed away on April 17, 2024 in Rexburg, Idaho. Born to Ralph & Jeanine (Maxwell) Davis on June 8, 1949 in Shelley, Idaho, Brian was the rambunctious second child of nine children. He enjoyed many adventures in his hometown of Shelley, Idaho, which embodied the nostalgic charm of the ‘50s. He often regaled his children and grandchildren with these cherished childhood memories, bringing laughter and joy to them for years to come.   

Following graduation from Shelley High School, Brian served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central States Mission. He learned to love cardinals, both the bird and the baseball team, during his diligent service in the mission field. He later attended BYU, earning a bachelor’s degree in agronomy. On January 18, 1973, he married Donna Lee Crooks, also a Shelley native, in the Logan Utah Temple. They raised their five children in Hansen, Idaho. Brian supported his family by working as an agronomist for Betaseed, Holly Sugar, Germains, and Seed Systems.  Traveling extensively throughout the mountain west, he sold sugar beet seed, conducted seed plot tests, participated in agronomy trade shows, and researched sugar beet growth. Whenever possible, Brian took one or two of his children along on his long drives to many farms over many states. He used that time to instill values into his children, interspersed with political dialogue from Rush Limbaugh & Paul Harvey telling us “the rest of the story.” His kids really looked forward to gas stations because Dad always invited them to pick out a candybar and a pop or the hotels with the swimming pools. 

As a father, Dad taught his children to appreciate beauty. He loved creating incredibly stunning landscapes and rock gardens. Both inside and outside his home, his love of God, country, and nature radiated. Wherever he made his home,, peace resounded within its walls from the art to the music to the natural settings he curated. He loved mountain biking with his family and friends, and when he found something lovely, he captured it with either his camera or by carrying rocks down mountains to adorn his home or garden. He taught his children by word and example the gospel of Jesus Christ, the value of hard work and integrity, deep compassion and service to others, and the virtue of balance. No matter how much work he needed to do, he found ways to just play, laugh, or spend time with his kids, teaching them the wonders of the heavens or how to nurture plant life. Up with the birds, his kids often found dad reading his scriptures in his lawn chair, after he’d already mowed the lawn, weeded his abundant garden, or ridden his bike to watch the sunrise. 

“Grandpa Bunny” endeared the next generation to him by taking interest in their lives, remembering birthdays, inviting them to the temple, sharing ice cream outings, attending their sports events, and gifting his love of nature to them. He zipped everywhere on his bike (often in his Levi’s and without a helmet), and those who rode with him found him handing out granola bars to the homeless, visiting the sick and aged, building wheelchair ramps for the homebound, or helping construct housing for the disadvantaged.. Dad/Grandpa never ceased looking for opportunities to serve. He officiated in the Salt Lake and Jordan River temples for many years, ministered to the homeless as an agent bishop, led Conference Center tours in Salt Lake City, volunteered in soup kitchens and homes for the less fortunate, and then on his days off, he looked for people or projects in need and offered his aging, yet still able hand. He just had a knack of seeking out needs and finding ways to fill them. His legacy of service to others will outlive him for many generations.

Preceded in death by his dad Ralph Davis, Brian is survived by his mother Jeanine Davis Anderson, his eight siblings Darren (Debbie) Davis, Shari Miller, Garlyn (Jill) Davis, Carlie (Berk) Buttars, Krayton (Misty) Davis, Laurine (Lou) Riepl, Reuel (Renee) Davis, and Thaylon (Kristine) Davis; his five children Stefani (Robert) Annett, Desiri (Chris) Wightman, Cade (Jenny) Davis, Brinley Davis and Derek (Sarah) Davis; and his adored 25 grandchildren. We all think “Bunny” is going to be a wonderful guardian angel for our family. We all love you Brian!

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, April 26, 2024 at the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery. Memorial services will then be held in the Twin Falls area on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 1:00 P.M. at the Kimberly Stake Center (3850 North 3500 East, Kimberly, Idaho) with a reception following to greet family and friends.

Family and friends are encouraged to participate in a sock drive for the homeless in honor of Brian's many years of service ministering to this population by bringing a new pair of socks to the graveside or memorial service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your local soup kitchen or homeless shelter in Brian's memory. 

The family is under the care of Nalder Funeral Home, 110 West Oak Street, Shelley, Idaho.