Philip Dale Davis died on August 13,2020. He was born October 24, 1931
to George and Gaynell (Fuerstock) Davis and was the youngest of nine
children. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife,
Jody; brothers, Harlan, Donald, and Harold and sisters, Vida
Arimintrout, Thelma Davis, Elizabeth “Betty Lou” Mudgett, and Shirley
Gregory.
Phil’s interest in horses began at a very young age while helping his
uncle on the farm where he learned to drive a team of horses. In 1940,
after his father was killed in a farm accident, the family moved to
Greeley, where an owner of a horse barn recognized Phil’s talent which
led to his first job with the Remount Ranch in Cheyenne, Wyoming, after
he graduated from High School in 1950.
In August of 1952, his cowboy ways had to be put on hold as he was
drafted into the Army during the Korean War. Phil served in the HQ
Company 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment and was released from
active duty in August of 1954. He was placed in the Army Reserves and
later Honorably Discharged.
Upon returning home, Phil went back to work for the Remount Ranch,
deciding shortly after that he needed to increase his knowledge of
cattle and horses. So, Phil and his best friend, Joe Maldonado, left to
travel and work on several different ranches from Arizona to Montana.
On June 14, 1956, he met Jody Redman, the blonde that would forever
change his life. They married on November 1, 1958, in Fort Collins,
Colorado. This union, by a small miracle, produced one child the
following year, a daughter, Julie Dawn. Phil and Jody moved to Elbert
County, in 1958, where they would spend the rest of their lives. They
celebrated 57 years of marriage before she died in 2015.
Phil’s first job upon moving was for the John Ewing Company where he was
hired to manage a herd of yearlings, band of broad mares, and to their
surprise a band of sheep. In 1968, Phil went to A.I. school and life on
the ranch soon changed as all efforts were focused on building a
cow-calf purebred Charolais herd. Out of this effort came a prize herd
of cattle as well as Phil’s passion to become the best A.I. technician.
Phil, along with others from Elbert county were pioneers in the cattle
industry as artificial insemination changed the landscape. After 12
years, his skill landed Phil his second and final job in Elbert County
with Rob Brown from Throckmorton, Texas.
Phil and Jody helped Rob establish Brown Simmental Breeders which later
became the RA Brown Ranch. Their program resulted in many award-winning
cows and a very prominent Simmental breeding program. With Jody by his
side, keeping records, Phil managed the place like it was his own and
success was achieved. Phil’s conception rate as an A.I. technician was a
solid 97% during his time on the ranch. Phil and Jody were part of what
became known as the RA Brown Legacy. After many years of success and
accolades with the ranch, Phil retired after 40 years.
One thing a person might overlook was Phil’s ability on a horse. He had a
talent for breaking colts and by the time he was finished they were cow
horses. You had better be paying attention while riding a horse he
trained or else you would find yourself on the ground like a few of his
daughter’s suitors. All of the cattle work was done using horses and
just because he carried a rope didn’t mean he always used it. Phil was
simply a great herdsman, horseman, and the cowboy that always rode for
the brand.
Phil was also active in the Douglas-Elbert County Livestock Association
and the Elbert County Fair Board for over 35 years, where he served as
the President of the fair board for several years. While President of
the fair board he helped to obtain the money used to build the livestock
arena and the ag building. You would always find him supporting Jody
with her many volunteer organizations and activities.
He is survived by his daughter, Julie (Walt) Marble of Atwood, KS; two
grandchildren, Echo (Jacob) Hagler of Atwood, KS and Chance (Michelle)
Marble of Brewster, KS; adopted grandson, Ethan (Whitney) Smith, of
Colby, KS; his brother, Marvin of Sinclair, WY; three great
grandchildren, Emma, Ben, and Ella Hagler of Atwood, KS; as well as
numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and a multitude of extended family
and friends.
Memorial Service will 10:00 a.m., Friday 21, 2020, Agate Church, Agate,
CO. A private Inurnment will be held at later date. In lieu of flower
memorials are suggested to help defray funeral costs in care of Baalmann
Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby KS.