Russell Davis

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Russell A. Davis, 83, of Miller, passed away Sunday, April 3, 2022, at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller.

Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 30, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church, Miller, with Rev. Janice Palmer officiating. Burial at the Wessington Cemetery will be at a later date. 

Memorials can be sent to Rhonda Rowen, 414 E. 2nd St., Miller, SD 57362.

Russ was born in Miller, SD on March 23, 1939, to Edison “Jack” and Bernice (Witte) Davis.  He grew up on his family’s farm near Miller.  He attended school in Miller, while in high school, he played football and was on the Miller Boxing team, earning the Golden gloves title.

He married Alice Joan Harrington on October 1, 1956.  They had four children: Steven, Rhonda, Jerrold, and Larry. 

He worked for various farmers around the area and then started working for Charlie Wilber at Wilber’s Feed and Seed on October 1, 1960.  He started from the bottom of the totem pole and worked until he became the office manager and continued for approximately the last 25 years.  Charlie sold the business in 1997 and Russ continued to work for the new owners until he retired at the end of 2005.  He put in a total of 45 years.

He and Joan enjoyed going to the South Dakota Senior Games, playing pool, horseshoes, golf, bean bags and several others, acquiring many medals along the way.  Playing pool was a big part of Russ’ life; Joan joined in after the kids got out of school.  They played darts for a few years and avidly traveled with the Miller pool league for many years.   They frequently camped and loved taking grandkids.  He loved teaching them his skills in bass fishing and hunting.  After Joan’s health started failing, it took a toll on their activities together. 

Russ was a member of the South Dakota Seed Trade Association and served as the President in 2007.  He was also a member of the Miller Volunteer Fire Department. 

After Joan passed in March of 2013, he lived in his home until he started having memory problems and entered the Prairie Good Samaritan Society in January of 2018.  While in the nursing home, his mind never forgot his loyalty to Charlie, his customers, or his loves for selling seed and talking on the phone.  He truly did love his job. He wasn’t much for mushy kisses or hugs, but you always knew he truly loved you, by the look in those baby blue eyes.

Russ will be missed by his children: Rhonda (Lyle) Rowen, Jerry (Gloria) Davis, and Larry Davis; four grandchildren; four step grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; nine step great grandchildren; sister, Donna Welch; brother, Gary Davis; brother-in-law, Jack Jones; sisters-in-law: Evelyn Butts and Dorothy Willard; brother-in-law, Richard (Jeanne) Harrington; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joan; infant son, Steven; brothers: Roger and Ronald Davis; and sisters: Diane Hague and Shirley Jones. 

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Russell's arrangements.