Jeff Davis

As in life, Jeffrey Willard Davis faced death with dignity, quiet stoicism, and a sense of self-deprecating humor followed by his familiar laugh that brought smiles to everyone around him. We can only imagine that when Death knocked at the door of the Davis family farm that cold and snowy January day, it undoubtedly had to take a pause. Knowing Jeff, they bantered a while, sitting by the fire, as he cooly hurled sarcastic jabs at his opponent. Just as Jeff would do after such a verbal joust, he then raised his bushy eyebrows, stared Death in the eye for a moment, and then with that familiar tilt of the head, broke into a toothy grin as they both laughed. Jeff had the inherent gift of embracing the awkward moment and dousing it with his blunt humor. Jeff was born August 9, 1970, in Stilwell, Oklahoma to Willard Davis and Janice Cantrell. A few years later, Jeff was joined by his younger brother, Brent, to complete their family. Both boys grew up in Mannford, Oklahoma and attended Mannford schools where they spent countless hours at the “Four Diamonds” baseball fields. It was there that Jeff fell in love with the game of baseball and was coached by his hero in life, his dad. Willard coached both boys for many years and passed on his love and knowledge of the game to Jeff who went on to coach his own son, Levi, later in life.

When Jeff, Brent, and their friends were not out on the field playing ball, Jeff would be in Stilwell on his grandparents’ farm. It was there that he found his love of the quiet country, starry nights, and a life raising cattle and catching fish.

Not surprisingly, Jeff evolved into a highly decorated high school athlete as both a catcher for the baseball team and point guard in basketball where he routinely led the team in scoring. He was always that cool-under-fire, reliable athlete who would be given the ball for the last second shot to win the game, or the one you wanted at bat at the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded.

Jeff was the James Dean-type rebel, but in a letter jacket. He was one who could care less about being popular, but ironically and reluctantly found himself there anyway as over his protests he was selected as "Prom King” his senior year. Seemingly without effort, he continued to excel in both baseball and basketball, and what might be a surprise to some, even Choir.

Jeff went on to play collegiate baseball at Texarkana Junior College and at Northeastern Oklahoma (NEO) and Northeastern State University (NSU) until the years of squatting behind the plate took a toll on his body. While "hometown hero” accolades appear in every generation and in every small town, Jeff did so while discovering at a very young age that he was diabetic. But this did not slow him down. He learned how to check and manage his blood sugar while balancing school, sports, and a very active schedule.

After college, Jeff worked as a teacher for a period but then went to work as a social worker, caring for those who were most vulnerable. He married Tonda Davis and together they had Levi Jeffrey William Davis, who became the love of his life. Jeff spent many hours passing his knowledge and love of all thing’s baseball, basketball, hunting and fishing to his son. He was proud of his sports accomplishments, but what made him most proud was Levi’s desire and dedication to becoming a doctor. Sadly, Jeff will not get to see that accomplished here on earth, but we know he will be beaming when Levi dons his white coat for the first time. Jeff may not have had the words or opportunity to say it before passing, but “I love you and I am proud of you” will be the first words uttered when they reunite. Jeff’s outlook on life was that of enjoying the simple beauty around him. He was most at peace during quiet mornings feeding cattle as the third generation on the farm, feeling the gentle wind blowing through the trees in Montana, or listening to the sound of an Arkansas river as he fished with old friends from his youth. It was in those quiet moments that Jeff worked through the issues of life. Jeff sought direction in those peaceful moments as he looked for the path forward, hopeful to complete the circle with those he cherished most. As Jeff continued to reflect on moments from the past and hope for the future, he reconnected with friends and family regularly and old family friends came closer. More frequently he would be found laughing during late night exchanges with those he knew best. Jeff saw his circle coming closer to completion and being whole. Of course, as it happens in life, Death came knocking a little earlier than any would have hoped. While Jeff chose a quiet life during his final chapter, his foundation remained with the deep love of his family. It was this that brought him back to his most favorite place, the family farm in Stilwell. It was the time together with his grandparents, and then later with his father Willard during his final years, which started Jeff on the path of closure as he understood life’s briefness. Every father struggles to navigate that path, hoping he might shine light on the path to ease the journey for his own son to see later in his own life. In these last final years of his journey, Jeff sought to pass on that legacy of love to his own son, Levi. Jeff is survived by his greatest accomplishment, his son Levi Jeffrey William Davis, to whom the circle was closing towards. He is also survived by his mother, Janice Cantrell, Levi’s mother Tonda Davis, many cousins, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, and multiple other family members, neighbors and friends that shaped his life. Jeff would also want to make sure his “sister” Kim (Grooms) Hamric and her husband Steve and her dear parents, Tim & Jan Grooms, were recognized for all they meant to him and the generations of the Davis and Grooms families that remained interwoven. He would want his close friend, Cheryl Mathews, to be recognized for the significant role she played in his life. Jeff is sadly preceded in death by brother Brent Davis, his father Willard Earl Davis, and his beloved grandparents Earl Levi and Alline (Center) Davis, and Jewel (Ketcher) Davis, Roy Cantrell, and Jimmie (Adair) Cantrell as well as many other loved ones.

Jeff’s final wishes were to not have any official funeral and that his ashes be scattered over the grave of his father. Every boy’s first hero is his father……….