Stephen Lewis Davies

Stephen (Steve) Lewis Davies from Las Vegas, NV was surrounded by those who loved him most when he breathed his last breath and received eternal peace on March 5, 2025. He was at home and had been in hospice care for several days.

Christmas day 1942 was extra special for Victor Lewis Davies and Madge Moody Davies because of the birth of their firstborn Stephen in Provo, Utah. But World War II was raging and Victor soon shipped out as a welder on a repair ship. Steve and his mom remained in Provo, living with his grandparents, TC & Allie Davies and their dog Fritzy, while Madge was attending BYU to become a teacher.

His childhood in Orem, Utah was not unlike many folks of that vintage. After chores were done, he and friends would ride horses through the fruit orchards, picking and helping themselves to the fresh fruit, with or without permission. He had stories of the fun and pranks they played as well as weekly attendance to the Saturday matinee, where a 50-cent piece would get admission & snacks.

Rebuilding cars and motorcycles was a major interest for Steve in high school. He and friends formed a club and rented a shop where they spent their after-school hours doing mechanic and body shop work. He remained a car enthusiast, particularly vintage and classic cars; there was always one parked in the garage.

Steve went to work for a masonry company after high school. He and wife Eileen Olsen welcomed a son, Trent, in 1963. They were later divorced. In his early twenties he went to work for US Steel Geneva Works as a scarfer, considered by many as the most physically demanding job in the mill. He worked there until US Steel sold the mill when he was in his mid-forties.

Steve had lots of tales, tall & small, about his adventures and escapades living the bachelor life in various places in Utah county; occasionally with roommates, all good friends, who were memorable and often colorful.

He felt he had enough of physically demanding jobs and went to dealer school to work as a Blackjack & poker dealer and roulette croupier. Steve never sought to be the center of attention, but his sense of humor and quick wit made him a memorable guy in many gatherings. He was always thought of as the fun dealer at the various casinos he dealt in.

Although he punched time clocks most of his working life, he always said one can’t work enough hours to gain wealth. He believed saving what one can and investing well is the way to get ahead. He was an astute observer of the economy and stock markets. Staying current with those and politics were a major interest until the end.

He was very charitable; always paying his share and often adding extra for ones less able to pay, a generous tipper and the first to grab the tab when out with others, often whispering to the server ahead of time to make sure he got the bill. Steve was charitable in his leniency of others also. He wasn’t one to judge, and felt people can do whatever they choose as long as it didn’t hurt others. Always empathetic to the plight of others, he shunned bullying of any kind, be it physical, verbal or prejudicial.

Steve and Leslie were equally smitten when they met and married. He gave up his bachelor life and moved to Rock Springs, WY where she was teaching. He also gained a bonus daughter Jensen, and she gained her Pops! He worked for an oil field service supply company until they folded and left Rock Springs. He returned to his gaming skills and worked at different casinos in Nevada and New Mexico for parts of each year. The three adjusted to a long-distance family affair for a number of years, until he retired.

Those working years were highlighted with travel and road trips for the three; visiting both coasts, Alaska, multiple trips to South Carolina, as well as many trips through the Southwest and a month long, 17 state, road trip one summer. The summers always included getaways to the cabin in Bear Lake which his father, Victor, built.

Staying close and connected to family and longtime friends was a priority for Steve. He had a close and caring relationship with his grandparents and parents throughout their lives. No matter where he was living or working, he kept in touch with his roots regularly. He wanted to stay up on the latest goings on in the lives of his siblings, Gayle and Matthew, and their families, as well as Trent, his son, and grandkids. He loved to hear of their activities and was fiercely proud of them and their accomplishments. He made every effort to travel to get together and gatherings of extended family.

Steve was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 15 years ago. Knowing his breathing would be less aggravated in a lower elevation and milder climate, he and Leslie bought a home in Las Vegas. Several years after her retirement they pulled up their Rock Springs roots and moved there permanently. Not only was the move better for Steve’s health, Jensen and her husband & son lived there.

Steve & Leslie enjoyed the life of retirees in Las Vegas. He delighted in visiting with friends, acquaintances and strangers at the local coffee shop, pubs, and watering holes. There was always plenty for them to do for entertainment. As his pulmonary issues worsened, many could catch glimpses of him buzzing around and turning heads while on his sleek little scooter, which allowed him to continue to enjoy getting out; many times, he had a little grandson co-driver in tow.

He spent the last nine years in the most severe stage of COPD. He far outlived the life expectancy of most with such limited lung capacity and cheated death three times! With two emergency abdominal surgeries, one requiring a life flight to University of Utah from Rock Springs, and then the time he walked away unscathed after being hit by a one-ton truck going 90 miles an hour on the interstate. Thankfully he was driving the big old Lincoln Town car which was totaled from the collision but saved him.

He preferred the sanctuary of home for most of the last year with his physical health struggles including his vision diminished greatly by Macular Degeneration, but he had no cognitive decline. He remained sharp as a tack until the end. Siri “the lady in the phone” became a good friend and a big help for him to stay up to date with the news and connected to family and friends.

Those left to mourn his passing include his wife of 35 years, Leslie, daughter Jensen and her husband Brent Lynch and grandson Otto. Son Trent and wife Liz Davies and their family; daughters Candace (Brett) and Shandy (Brian) and sons Shay (Paige) and Alex (Keisha). Along with his four Davies grandkids, his progeny includes five great and four great great grandkids.

Siblings are sister Gayle (Paul) Neuenschwander, brother Matthew (Debra) Davies, brother-in-law Dave (Donna) Cozzens and sister-in-law Andrea Cozzens and many nieces and nephews.

His mother-in-law, Frankie Cozzens, living in the Bighorn Basin of Wyoming, also survives Steve.

As Steve requested, cremation has taken place, and no funeral held. Those that knew him might enjoy a beverage of choice and remember a time with him, most likely involving a funny story or a charitable act. Donating to any charity that benefits the less fortunate would be a great way to honor his memory.