Surrounded by his family, Donald W. "Don" Davis passed away Friday evening in Butte, hours after watching two of his great-nephews and the Butte High Bulldogs win the semi-final football game. Don battled colon cancer for 28 months.

Don was born in Fort Riley, KS on June 18, 1952 to Bill and Rena (Harrington) Davis. The family moved back to Montana shortly after his birth. Don was proud to call Centerville home. He attended St. Lawrence grade school and graduated from Butte High School.

Don worked briefly for the Anaconda Company before going to work as a Sheriff's Deputy/Police Officer for Butte-Silver Bow. He retired as a DARE Officer and Patrol Sergeant after serving the Butte Community for 35 years. Don then went to work as an Engineer with School District #1. He retired from there in 2017, shortly after his cancer diagnosis.

Don's commitment to Butte and its youth was evident by all the years that he coached/mentored/taught. He coached the Blaine School Mustangs and Little League Baseball. He volunteered countless hours for Northwest Little League, Silver Bow Amateur Wrestling Association and Hunter Safety Program. Don was one of the first DARE Officers in Butte and continued to teach DARE after his retirement. He had a special way of connecting with all the young men and women he coached/mentored/taught. Throughout the years, his infectious smile always came out whenever he ran into one of his former players or students. He had a knack of remembering their names and a joke or something significant about each person.

Don married Michelle D'Arcy in 1986 and together they had one son, Marcus. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Rena Davis and by his parents-in-law, Gerald and Mary D'Arcy. Don was also preceded in death by his sisters and brother-in-law, Laura D'Arcy and Joan and Tom Gavigan.

Don is survived by his wife Michelle and son and daughter-in-law, Marcus and Dawnann. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law: Larry (Kathy) Davis, Ken (Sandy Aguirre) Davis, and Tom (Staci) Davis. Sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law that survive include Carol Kocher, Jerry (June Dudding) D'Arcy, Jo (Bob) Foley, Cecilia (Al) Hansen and Melvin D'Arcy. Don is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as countless cherished friends.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. and Mrs. Hueftle and staff, Nancy, Dani, Dawn, Mati, Angie and Kristen for their wonderful care and compassion shown to Don and his family over the past two years. You guys are the best!

Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick's Church at 11:00 am on Thursday, November 21, 2019. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. Committal will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Butte Police Protective Association, Bagdad Shrine Temple Children's Hospital Transportation Fund or a charity of the donor's choice.