Richard Orvil Davis passed away on June 25, 2016 after a long, well-fought battle with gliosarcoma, a form of brain cancer. His wife, Wendy, lovingly cared for him until he returned home to his Father in Heaven.
Richard was born in Provo, Utah on November 12, 1941 to Julia Maxine Warwood and Orvil Burdell Davis. He was the oldest of 9 children. Richard graduated from Orem High School and then served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He attended BYU, and later graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelors of Science in Business. Richard married Sharon Pierce and together they had four children: R. Jeffrey, Jennifer, Joshua and Katherine. Richard and Sharon later divorced. In 1987, he married Wendy Fuller. They were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple for time and all eternity and brought two daughters, Alexandra and Elizabeth, to the family.
Richard served as Deputy Executive Director at Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority for 35 years. He was a highly regarded and respected leader in the student loan industry whose quiet confidence and steady hand will be sorely missed. He was described by his colleagues as a man of great integrity whose contributions to higher education in Utah will have a profound and lasting impact for generations to come.
Richard was a life-long learner and read constantly. He loved working in his garden, camping and hunting. He was always up for playing a practical joke and had a great sense of humor. Richard was a strong member of the LDS church; he served faithfully in many church callings and was a diligent home teacher.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Gregory, brother-in-law J.B. Washburn, and many other cousins, aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife Wendy, six children: Jeffrey (Sheri) Davis, Jennifer (Blaine) Anderson, Josh Davis, Katherine (Donovan) Brunner, Alexandra (Mitch) Figgat, and Elizabeth (Jed) Prettyman; 16 grandchildren, and siblings Joyce Walker, Julie Washburn, Barbara Russell, John Davis, Carolyn Corry, Anita Anderson and Kevin Davis.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. at the Garden Park Ward [1150 East Yale Avenue (1080 South), Salt Lake City Utah] Viewings, also to be held at the Garden Park Ward, on Wednesday June 29, 2016 from 6:00 ‚ 8:00 p.m., and Thursday 10:00 -11:30 a.m. prior to services.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Huntsman Cancer Neuro-Oncology research at https://donate.huntsmancancer.org/neurodot or if donating by check or phone, please use the following description for the donation: Neuro-Oncology Disease Oriented Team-Huntsman Cancer Foundation.
Interment at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
