John Henry Davis

John H. Davis, 84, of Broomfield, CO died Thurs., Sept 2, 2021, surrounded by his family and caregivers. John was born on July 1, 1937, in Wellington, CO to Monte A. Davis and Eliza Wood Davis. He was from a large family of 14 children. In 1948, his family moved to LaPorte, CO. He is a graduate from the Cache la Poudre High School Class of 1955 where he played football and ran track. He attended Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) in Fort Collins, CO where he earned a bachelor’s degree. Right after graduation, he was drafted into the Army in 1959 to fight the Cold War. He was sent to Germany for 20 months as an Intelligence Analyst in the 3rd Armored Division. He was stationed near the Czech border to keep an eye on the Russians. John returned to Colorado after being discharged from the Army in August 1961. He was hired as an Agriculture teacher in Glendo, WY where he met lifetime friend Dennis Daly. Dennis was the teacher who resigned to return to ranching creating a job for John as the Ag teacher. During his time off, John enjoyed spending time ranching with Dennis. He returned to help Dennis with cattle drives every September for many years. In 1964, he was hired at Adams City High School as a science teacher. His hands-on, problem-solving teaching approach created exciting learning experiences for students. He was a football coach and offered his mentorship to many of his students. He was selected for a National Science Foundation grant to fund graduate coursework to expand his knowledge in science and earn a master’s degree. He was the head of the science department at Adams City High School for many years and often filled in as Principal or Vice Principal during leadership transitions. He was able to retire from teaching at 55 years old but continued farming until 2019 when his Parkinson’s Disease symptoms began. John met his wife, Clare during ski trips with fellow teachers from Adams City. They were married in 1965 in Fort Collins, CO. They bought farm property in Mustang Acres, Broomfield, CO in 1966 and built the home they would live in for over 50 years. John and Clare had a daughter, Kelley, in March 1968. She was very intelligent and met many milestones but had difficulty with muscle tone. She never received a diagnosis but spent lots of time in the hospital and in Nov 1970 passed away at only 2 years old. John and Clare applied for adoption and in March 1971 they were contacted by the adoption agency to let them know they had twin boys born Jan 18, 1971. They raised Matt and Monte on the farm with Shetland ponies, horses, sheep, and many other animals. John was very active in their 4-H projects and judging. John raised sheep for 4-Hers to use for their projects. He also raised a large garden. Each summer, he sold his vegetables in his front pasture on the honor system with a tin can of change. In the fall, he created a pumpkin patch for families to visit. John enjoyed spending time with his best friend and neighbor Bill Smith. They fished, farmed, and did everything together for 55 years. He was very active in his community as a superintendent of wool at the National Western Stock show, organizer of the sheep showing events for the Adams County Fair, and Cooperative Extension Master Gardener. He volunteered with Angevine Middle School to teach marine biology to middle school students in the AVID program in preparation for traveling to Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands of Washington state. After retirement he and his wife Clare travelled around the world. They traveled with other teachers, family members, and friends. He also enjoyed traveling to Davis Family Reunions in Nebraska and North Carolina and learning about his family history. John and Clare were also part of a dance club that met regularly to have dances and then went to breakfast after dancing the night away. He loved listening to country and bluegrass music and was always up for dancing to the music at the family reunions. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Clare, daughter Kelley, brothers and sisters Noel, Basil, Irma, Anne, Donald, Aggie Mae, Albert, Robert, Mary, Dorothy, and Monte Jr. (Buzz). He is survived by his sons Monte and Matt, brothers Tom (Jane) Davis, Jerry (Michelle) Davis of Wellington, CO, grandchildren Shelbi Taylor, Haley Hitchcock, and Jayden Davis, great grandchildren Braidynn, Brooks, and Ellie Taylor, 30 nieces and nephews, and Beth and Logan Cogburn, who he considered to be a daughter and grandson. John lived a full life and made many friends along the way. He will be greatly missed. Donations in his honor can be made to the Angevine Middle School AVID Program, 1150 W. South Boulder Rd. Lafayette, CO 80026.

Memorial donations may be made to the John Davis AVID Program; checks may be mailed to 1150 W. South Boulder Rd. Lafayette, CO 80026; or by using the website provided here, https://bvsd.revtrak.net/middle-schools/ang/anm-donations-pe-uniform-and-planners/anm-donations/#/v/ANM-Family-Donation---Any-Amount

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhighland.com for the Davis family.