July 19, 2023

Donald Davis
​ April 5, 1926 - July 13, 2023

Our wonderful husband, father and grandpa, Donald Davis, 97, passed away peacefully on July 13. Don was born in Helena, on April 5, 1926, to parents, Guy and Margaret (McDonald) Davis. He and the family lived on the family ranch in Blossburg, Mont. Don was the youngest of his brother, Dan, and two sisters, Rose and Lucille. He attended grade school in Blossburg and graduated from high school in Elliston, Mont. He joined the military in March of 1945 and was honorably discharged in December of 1946. He returned to Snowshoe and worked on the ranch.
On February 12, 1950, he married Ava Brantner in Deer Lodge. They lived at Snowshoe and had two sons, James and Thomas. Their youngest son, Steve, was born when they were on the ranch at 3 Mile. In 1967, the family moved to Deer Lodge, and Don went to work on the Williams and Tavenner Ranch north of Deer Lodge. When the ranch was sold to the Ward family, he stayed on and managed it for them until the fall of 1996 when he semi-retired and he and Ava moved to Deer Lodge.
Upon full retirement he developed new interests. One was shooting pool with his grandson, Jim, and good friends in Deer Lodge and Arizona. When he got a guitar and started taking lessons, it started a whole new life for him and Ava. They met so many new and dear friends as they started ‘jamming’ in Montana and Arizona. They loved going to the Thursday Night Jammers.
Don was a soft-spoken man, but you knew when he meant business. Dad was good at everything he did, whether it was dragging calves to the branding fire, team roping with friends, or growing hay and grain. He will be greatly missed.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dan; sisters, Rose and Lucille; and son, James.
Don is survived by his wife of 73 of years, Ava Davis of Deer Lodge; son, Thomas and wife, Vicky and their son, James and wife, Brandy Beck Davis, all of Deer Lodge; son, Stephen and wife, Patricia O’Connell Davis of Corvallis, Mont., and their daughters, Bridgid Jarrett (Clay), Heather Gray (Tim), and Meaghan Price (Brad); eleven grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service with Military Honors will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 24, at the Avon Cemetery in Avon, Mont. A reception will follow at the Elks Lodge #1737, 230 Main St. in Deer Lodge. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Don are suggested to an organization of the donor’s choice. Visit www.anacondafuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Don. Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Crematory has been privileged to care for Don and his family. ​

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David T. Adamson
​ December 24, 1944 - July 8, 2023

​This is a picture of my brother Dave when we were in our prime.
He was born Dec. 24, 1944, in Great Falls, and passed away July 8 in Sheridan, Mont. We grew up ranching in Fort Benton and Augusta. He served a mission for Jesus Christ in Brazil 1964-1966 and then attended college in Cedar City and Logan, Utah. Dave graduated from USU in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in Ag Econ.
He worked on the 2 Bar ranch in Wheatland and Laramie, Wyo. There he met and married Irene Smith, who could ride and rope with the best of them, a match surely made in Heaven. They managed the Polo Ranch at Big Horn, Wyo. for a couple of years and then moved to Reno Creek Ranch near Crow Agency, Mont., and managed it for Peterson Cattle Company until it was sold.
They gained a daughter, Renee, while there. They then continued in ranch management on the Becker ranch near Vale, Ore. Dave also went into real estate while there. After a while they gained a son, Jake, and then moved to Glasgow, Mont., and continued in ranch management for Page Widdum. They then took a short side trip to Fargo, N.D., before returning to Bozeman.
He purchased a Rainbow International carpet cleaning business and began a different and very busy lifestyle. After a few years he sold that and dove headfirst back into real estate. He became a broker and formed Montana Property Consultants, selling land all over Montana.
He bought a little place at Cardwell, Montana. The UD Bar became a gathering place for the grandkids and many fond memories were made. Irene raised calves while Dave sold property. They bought another place at Deer Lodge and lived there a while. They sold that place and moved back to the place in Cardwell until about 5 years ago when they sold the UD Bar and built a home on 18 acres south of Whitehall. During the Cardwell time he served as Bishop of the Whitehall Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for 5 years.
Dave is survived by Irene, his loving wife of 51 years, their daughter Renee, her children Mikaela and Payton. Dave’s son Jake and his partner Heather and her children Abi and Cash. Dave’s older brother Lane, his wife Charlie and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Dave left an impression on everyone he met and loved to tell his many life stories. He will be missed and never forgotten. Memorial service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 41 Mormon Lane, Whitehall, Mont. Reception to follow.
Since no day and time was given at publication, please call the church in Whitehall for funeral information.

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​Funeral Notice

​Funeral services for former Montana  resident Phyllis Maureen Higle, 86, of Phoenix, Ariz., will be held in Deer Lodge at the First Baptist Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 22.