Ron Dean Davis of Ava, Missouri | 1952 - 2024 | Obituary
August 28, 1952 - April 18, 2024
Our Father
Ronald “Ron” Dean Davis departed this earth for his heavenly journey on April 18th 2024 at the age of seventy one year’s young. Ron was born in Sioux City, Iowa on August 28th 1952 to the late Lyle and Mary Lou Davis. He was the third born of four children. Dad loved his childhood, fondly remarking that he had some of his best times in Sioux City growing up. There were many stories that he always embellished about his youth. Some so wild we didn’t know what to think of them.
He had a remarkable journey after leaving the Sioux City area. He worked some odd jobs until he ended up in the Gregory, SD. area where he met the love of his life our mother (Judy Esterling). They were married on July 15th 1980. To this marriage they had two children, Scott and Stacy. They lived in White River, SD. area for a time and took in their niece and nephew Harlynne and Tammy for some time.
Dad could be found tinkering on vehicles with his father - in - law (Edwin) or helping someone out on their ranch. He always made time to help those who needed it. Many of times he’d use his last dollar to get somewhere so he could help out with something. His love of horses was something that he never let go of. He could be caught working horses with or for someone and loved his outings with friends riding miles at a time, or going to a local sale barn to watch what was being sold and bought.
Adventure called and we all moved from the quaintness of South Dakota to Loveland, CO. for eight years. Dad worked whatever odd jobs he could as he had to be careful due to his seizures he had from a young age. Dad loved the mountains and everything that came with it. There he had many fishing adventures with his brother - in - law Chuck Fleming. It was there he taught Scott how to fly fish. Something they enjoyed doing in any spare time they had. He made many friends in Colorado that lasted a lifetime. Neighbors became like siblings, and their children like their own. Many a time it was the entire neighborhood of kids that were gathered around when dad made his famous crawfish, or crawdads as he called them. Another favorite was his world famous meatloaf and ribs – recipes that will never be duplicated!
After his parents retired to Branson, MO. dad followed suit. He enjoyed the area of the Ozark hills and landed a job driving shuttle bus for Greyline Enterprises. He hauled tourists all over the city. It was here that his “gift of gab” helped him the most. People flocked to him like bees to honey! He relished hearing everyone’s stories about where they were from and always had a story of his own to add.
After Scott and Stacy left home Ron and Judy moved back to South Dakota where they resided for several more years. When his health started to fail him, he moved down to Ava, MO. and moved in with Stacy and her husband Terry. There he started his new adventure – as he and Terry would go on road trips and to odd jobs. Dad would try to help, but couldn’t, often times being the armchair quarterback while Terry did the heavy lifting. Terry and dad just clicked! They argued, raised the roof, and in the end loved each other for the friendship they had.
Dad entered the Heart of Ozark Healthcare Facility in Ava, Mo. in 2019. This didn’t slow him down though! He made friends there as well. He loved his bingo nights and playing cards with the fellow clients. He also loved the fishing outings. One of his favorite past times.
Those left to cherish his memory include his children Scott (Chrissy) and Stacy (Terry). One granddaughter Julie. Bonus grandkids Cody and Logan. The love of his life Judy Davis. His brothers (Gary, Craig, and Don), several brothers and sisters in law – who he loved playing cards with and playing horseshoes with. Numerous nieces and nephews with whom he always shared a special bond with, and loved them like his own, and the many friends he met along his journey. Those in Colorado and Branson that he loved all dearly and considered them family as well.
He was proceeded in death by his mother (Mary Lou) and father (Lyle). In laws (Dorothy and Edwin Esterling) two nephews and a niece along with three sisters in law and one brother in law.
Our father never met a stranger and loved everyone! He never had much of anything, but made the most out of everything he did have. He lived his life to the fullest and we always loved him for that.
You may have left this world we call home. May you rejoice in the place that we all want to call home.
We all love you and will cherish your memory forever,
Thanks for being Our Father
We’d like to give a special thanks to Hannah and the staff at Heart of the Ozarks Nursing Home and Casey, Terry, and the crew from Three Rivers Hospice. Thank you all for everything you did for our dad!
Burial services will be at a later date in Climbing Hill Cemetery. Climbing Hill, Iowa. Cremation services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Homes, Inc., Ava, Missouri.
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