Dennis "Denny" Gerald Davis

Dennis Gerald Davis lost his battle with cancer on April 8, 2021. He packed his 82 years of life with love, friendship, a keen intellect, and curiosity, a long and rewarding career teaching and coaching, an independent approach to life, countless dad jokes (he may have invented the concept), and a deep passion for social justice and politics. Denny was a loving father, doting grandfather, thoughtful and humorous friend to many and a teacher who made history come alive through story telling. He loved to travel. making regular trips to Washington DC and Calgary, Canada to visit his children and grandchildren and visiting Australia, Norway, and Quebec. After every flight, Denny walked off the plane having made friends and shared stories with his seatmates. Denny was born in Michigan and raised in Neenah, Wisconsin. He attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, and remained a passionate Ole for the rest of his life, making regular trips back to campus for reunions, football games and memorials. He earned his Master’s Degree from Montana State University. A talented athlete, Denny played both baseball and football throughout high school and college. He carried that passion for sports throughout his life, serving as a football coach for more than 35 years, first in Cameron, Wisconsin and later at Great Falls High and CMR, where he also taught history. One of his greatest joys was cheering his son, Scott Davis, on in the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. He was avidly interested in genealogy. In fact, it was that interest that finally inspired Denny to master the computer, something he had resisted for years. Other interests included golf, reading, having coffee, and chatting with good friends and debating politics. Denny was preceded in death by his mother, Bernice Champaign Davis; father, Gerald Davis; and stepmother, Effie Mathison Davis. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Davis (husband Robert Shapiro) of Bethesda, MD; son Scott Davis (wife Steph Davis) of Calgary, Canada; and grandchildren, Griffith, Anderson, Maggie, Alexandra, and Rebecca. A memorial service will be held this summer. In lieu of flowers, Denny would ask that you honor his memory by holding your loved ones close, reading a book, fact checking Fox News and voting Democratic.