Jeff L. Davis, 67, of Grinnell, died Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, at his home with his family by his side. A celebration of his life was held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 27, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. Burial was at Prairie View Cemetery in Gilman. Memorials may be directed to the Jeffrey L. Davis Memorial Fund and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.
Jeff was born June 30, 1949, to Don and Dorothy (Thibadeau) Davis in Belle Plaine. The family moved to the Gilman area, and he graduated from SEMCO High School with the Class of 1968. In September of that year, he enlisted in the United States Army. He proudly served during the Vietnam Era. Jeff was honorably discharged in April 1974. He returned to the Gilman area.
April 23, 1982, at the United Methodist Church in Gilman, he married the love of his life, Jan Osgood. The couple was blessed with two sons, Jeffrey and Terry. Jeff was a longtime employee of the Maytag Company, putting in 23 years until his retirement when the Newton plant closed. In 2011, Jeff and Jan moved to Grinnell.
Jeff was a trapper of raccoon, mink, muskrat, or whatever he would catch. He would pheasant hunt with his brother when he’d visit, and when fishing, Jeff was happy if he caught something! When Jeff was home, you could find him watching a western show. He enjoyed cooking and baking; his cherry pies were the best. His practical jokes will always be remembered. Jeff was excellent at striking up a conversation with strangers, and by the end, a friendship was made.
Jeff is survived by his sons: Jeff (Beverly) Davis Jr. and Terry Davis, all of Grinnell; his mother, Dorothy Davis of Grinnell; three grandchildren: Meredyth Van Wyk, Kelsey Bradford, and Tanner Davis; seven great-grandchildren: Trinity, Jackson, Aubrey, Lydia, Willow, Michael, and Machenzie; his siblings, Nancy Wilson of State Center, Michael (Alice) Davis of Saginaw, MI, Marsha (Ray) Haney of Ankeny, and Sally (Dale) Gallentine of Gilman; a very dear foreign exchange student, Maria Inez Alves Ramos of San Paulo, Brazil; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father and his wife, in 2014.
