Clarence Jay Davis Jr.

Clarence Jay Davis, Jr. (“Jay”) was born in Geddes, South Dakota in January of 1934 and grew up in the Sterling-Rock Falls area of Illinois. He passed away of prostate cancer at the age of 84 on October 28, 2018 at Pathways Hospice Care Center at McKee Medical Center in Loveland with his wife at his side. He was preceded in death by his father Clarence Jay Davis, Sr., his mother Vera Ella (Jones) Davis, his daughter Charlotte Davis, and his sisters Eleanor, Norma and Marion.

Jay served in the Air Force for eight years and was stationed in many locations including the Philippines and Greenland. After his honorable discharge from the military, Jay served in several law enforcement departments and then joined the Fort Collins Police Department in 1961 and retired in 1987 with the rank of Lieutenant. In his 46 years in law enforcement, his assignments included police records, investigations, supply, patrol, and the challenging job of internal affairs. During his tenure with FCPD, Jay earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice. After retirement, he managed the police shooting range as a civilian employee for a number of years.

Following several marriages, Jay married Molly Jacobsen on Thanksgiving Day in 1978 at the home of her parents in Fort Collins. During their forty years together, they traveled to most of the 50 states and especially enjoyed RV travel and visiting national parks and monuments. Jay loved the Rocky Mountains. He used to say he and Molly were “joined at the hip” and that he didn’t care what they did or where they went as long as they were together. Molly was with him as caregiver throughout his 19-month cancer journey and in his final moments.

Jay enjoyed fixing things and making them work again, building dune buggies and Baja bugs, reading Westerns, fishing, and hunting. He loved a good prime rib and had a voracious sweet tooth. One of his greatest joys was bonding with and training (or being trained by) the canine friends that came into his life.

Jay is survived by his wife Molly; sisters Chris Smith, Arlie Emerson, and Kay Wilkins of Illinois; daughters Kimn Davis of Loveland, Sherrie Taylor of North Dakota, and Sarah Menard (Joe) of Fort Collins; son Bob Davis (Linda); grandchildren Brendon Jay Davis (Blanca), Charie Alora Davis, Tricia Lorene Schnorr, Jeff Menard (Katie), Megan Menard, Nick Davis (Katie), and Aaron Davis; great grandchildren Tyrie Edwards, Madison Menard, Jacob Menard, Caleb Menard, Avery Menard, Richard Paul (Ritchie) Davis, and McKenzie Davis, who was born the evening before Jay passed away; and many nieces and nephews. His wife’s family has said they will greatly miss his teasing and sense of humor.

Jay asked that there be no funeral service. Family members who wish will gather for a simple celebration of his life and scatter his ashes next spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Crossroads Safehouse in Fort Collins, the Salvation Army, or a charity of your choice.