Our beloved father, brother, grandfather, and great grandfather, Edwin Reese Davis, 92, passed away peacefully at home with his daughter by his side on April 13, 2015. Reese was born to Edwin Franklin Davis and Pearl Rebecca Ware on May 28, 1922, in Virginia, Idaho. He spent his early years on his father’s farm west of Downey, Idaho. After completing high school, he was heading off to college in the fall. He took a job for the summer working in the local bank. It turned out he liked it so much that he decided to pursue a career in banking. He made the decision to work in the bank while simultaneously completing his higher education by graduating with honors in Commercial Banking from the ABA American Institute of Banking, as well as additional graduate certificates through University of Washington Seattle, Stanford Graduate School of Business at Stanford University and Utah State University. He married his childhood sweetheart, Cliss Johnson Davis, on February 4, 1942, in Pocatello, Idaho, and later solemnized in the Logan Temple on July 20, 1944. Together they have 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. They shared 69-and-a-half years together before Cliss preceded him in death. We receive great comfort in our faith that they are now reunited. Reese was dedicated to independent banking and from 1952 to1974 was employed by 5 independent banks and 3 major state-wide banks in Brigham City, Utah; Westwood, Hollywood, and Los Angeles, California. He held executive positions in all the banks, being President and CEO of three of the banks. In 1974, they relocated to Santa Cruz, where Reese accepted the position of President of County Bank and Trust, the oldest independent bank in California. He was later promoted to Chairman, CEO, and President of the bank until retiring back to Utah in 1987.

Reese held many positions in the LDS church, some of which included Bishop, High Counselor, Stake President, and Patriarch, as well as participating in temple work. Reese and Cliss shared a special bond through their musical talents. Not only did they share these gifts with their family at sing-alongs but also sang in ward, stake and temple choirs. Reese was extremely proud of his 16 years of service as the Executive Vice President and Manager of the Southern California Mormon Choir.

Reese was very active civically as well. He was Chairman of the United Way in the West Los Angeles District, Vice President of the Westwood Village Chamber of Commerce and Vice President of the Lions Club. He later was elected as Santa Cruz “Man of the Year” by the Chamber of Commerce. Reese loved the Boy Scout organization. He was elected President of the Monterey Bay Area Boy Scout Council from which he received, and certainly cherished, the Silver Beaver Award. He also served as Vice President of Finance on the Greater Salt Lake Council of the Boy Scouts of America for 5 years. Within his final days, he could still recite proudly the Boy Scout Oath, Law & Motto and used it as a guideline for how he lived his life.

Reese joined his mother in heaven on her birthday. We are sure Grandma Pearl was pleased to reunite with her amazing son on her special day. Reese is survived by his children, Klair Davis Gunn and Edwin Reese Davis, Jr.; his siblings, Carol Jones, Dale (Jeannine) Davis; and his 22 grand and great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Cliss Johnson Davis; his parents, Edwin Franklin Davis and Pearl Rebecca Ware; daughter, Terene Davis; sister, Marian (Ed) Denny; brother-in-law, Blair Jones; and grandson, Kole H. Gunn.

We would like to extend our gratitude for the angels that assisted our grandfather in his final days from Heartwood Hospice.

We welcome family and friends to services being held Saturday, April 18, at the Glenmoor Stake Center, 4200 West Skye Drive, South Jordan, UT. There will be a viewing from 10-10:45 prior to funeral services beginning at 11 a.m. On the same day, we will also hold a viewing from 3:30 to 4:15 at the church located at 525 E 1st N, Downey, ID, followed by a graveside service and dedication at 4:30 at the Downey Cemetery. Online condolences and funeral information at horsleyfuneralhome.com