Paul Davis

Long Creek, Ore., passed away Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, in John Day, Ore. He was born Nov. 10, 1918, to Perry and Ruth (Bancroft) Davis in Conrad, Mont.

Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

He was raised in the Conrad and Ledger area of eastern Montana. He played football in high school, graduating from Conrad High School in 1937.  After graduation he worked on ranches in Wyoming. The last one was the Triangle C, a dude ranch, out of Dubois, Wyo.

Paul was a World War II veteran. He enlisted in the service Jan. 1, 1942. He drove truck and worked in communications for the Army Air Corps. He served in England and Europe. After the war in Europe ended, Paul was on his way to the Pacific when Japan surrendered. He was honorably discharged at Fort Douglas, Utah.

Paul returned to Montana and worked on his father’s farm. He married Mary Alice Coleman Jan. 30, 1948, in Shelby. They went to Wyoming and worked on the Triangle C Dude Ranch, Paul as a hunting guide and Mary as a hunting camp cook. They returned to Montana because Mary’s mother was ill. They lived on the Marias River until 1952, when Paul bought a place on the West Kootenai near Rexford. In 1969, they were forced to move due to construction of Libby Dam. They bought a place near Colville, Wash., and stayed there until 1975, when they purchased a place near Long Creek, Ore.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; brother Rodger and sister Bertha Jane.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary; daughter Carol Batten and husband Doug of Enterprise, Ore; son Bill at home; three grandchildren, Nathan Batten and wife Karen of Oakridge, Ore.; Perry Batten and wife Jenera of Carson City, Nev.; Danielle Batten of Enterprise, Ore; two great grandchildren, Keith Batten, and Jace Batten.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Long Creek Ambulance through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.