Oliver Warren Davis Obituary (1936 - 2019)

In the early morning hours of Sunday, November 24, Oliver Warren Davis, faithful son, loving husband, and devoted father and grandfather, peacefully slipped away into heaven during his sleep—just the way he had always hoped he would go. Warren was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 8, 1936, the third child of Oliver Paul and May Hender Davis. With the loss of his older brother Robert at just a year and a half old, Warren’s quiet and determined spirit brought feelings of peace and healing to his parents and oldest sister, Pauline. Warren quickly learned to work hard and could often be found milking the family cow, feeding the chickens and pig, riding his bike into town to sell newspapers and even caring for the brothers and sister that followed after him: Vaughn, Mick, Tom, and Carolyn. At an early age, Warren learned to love the great outdoors and enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing with his dad—a trait he passed down to his sons. He graduated from Granite High School, was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, and served for eight years in the Air National Guard. It was during his years in high school that he finally noticed the neighbor girl and began dating the love of his life Laurette Burton. They were sealed together for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on September 9, 1955. Soon after they began dating, they started referring to each other as Ret and Libbysue—the nicknames that remained during their 64 years together. Following in the footsteps of his father and for the next 40 years, Warren worked as a brick mason to support Ret and their nine children. A special memory for all members of his posterity was when he would call and sing “happy birthday to you”—with many choosing not to answer the phone so they could keep and treasure the recorded message forever. He will always be remembered as a quiet man of faith, hard work, service, love of family, and love of God. Warren was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings including stake missionary, elders quorum president, high counselor, bishop, counselor in the stake presidency, and primary teacher. He and his dear Ret also served together as ordinance workers in the Jordan River Temple and as inner-city missionaries. He had a great love for and testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Warren is survived by his wife, Laurette, children Scott (Colette) Davis, Keith (Lorie) Davis, Jeff (Connie) Davis, Stann (Jan) Davis, Wayne (Susan) Davis, Wendy (Mike) Reeder, Heidi (Roger) Speirs, Kendal Davis and Klint (Jessica) Davis, 33 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and six siblings. A viewing will be held on Friday, November 29 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 W South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, and funeral services will be held Saturday, November 30 at 11:00 am, Riverton 16th Ward Chapel, 1208 W 12400 S, with a viewing held prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Online condolences at www.jenkins-soffe.com.