Richard Lindsay Davis

Richard Lindsay Davis peacefully passed away October 29, 2022. Born on January 9, 1933 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Julia Elizabeth Lindsey and Rulon Hawkins Davis. He married Joyce Livingston Davis on August 29, 1952, sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.
When he was of the age to go on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was drafted to serve in the army during the Korean war. He served in Korea as a top-secret courier for the Central Center Information unit and Japan in an elite unit as a sergeant first class that was responsible for promoting officers and soldiers. Richard served for around two years in these capacities. While he was away his first daughter was born, it was difficult for him to not be there for his new wife and their daughter Shaunna.
Richard loved education and was a gifted teacher. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Secondary Education at the University of Utah in 1957. A year was spent in Florida so that he could complete his Graduate Fellowship in Elementary Mathematics. He then returned to the U for advanced degrees in Educational Specialist and Educational Administration. Richard spent over 30 years in the Granite School District. He was an Instrumental Music teacher traveling to many schools and teaching all ages, He taught sixth grade for a couple years at Howard R Driggs. After obtaining his principalship he started his first year at Canyon Rim Elementary. Other schools he was a principal at included William Penn, Oakridge Elementary, and Calvin S. Smith. Once retired in Utah, he moved to Mesquite to be a principal in Clark County School District. He was at Virgin Valley Elementary and Joseph L. Bowler Sr. Elementary School as principal for ten years. He was highly involved with many principal and educational organizations over the course of his career.
Music was a passion in Richard’s life. As a child and through his school years he played clarinet and had knowledge of other woodwind instruments, as well as the cello, He helped organize and audition for the Granite Youth Symphony, established in 1959 and still running strong. He even had a grandson that participated in the Granite Youth Symphony, using a clarinet that was gifted to him by his grandfather.
Richard taught the cello over thirty years. He developed a relationship with many of his students. Those friendships spanned his lifetime. Richard was a ward choir director, he sang in quartets, and was a part of the Southwest Symphony and Orchestra.
Richard was a self-taught angler. Growing up on Spring Creek on Kentucky Avenue, he began the passion very young of fishing and the love of outdoors. Fishing was in his blood, which he passed down that love of the outdoors, fly-tying, and fly fishing to his sons and that has continued on to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved to travel and all the better with a fishing rod. Strangely enough many trips were in close proximity to water. He loved Yellowstone and his fishing in Montana. He always had a dream to fish in Alaska, which he was able to accomplish in 2008 with his son Stan. On those fishing trips, his flies were always used. He taught himself how to make patterns that fish couldn’t resist. His teaching also influenced this part of his life. Richard would take different people out to fish and patiently taught the skills that it would take. He had a lifelong fishing buddy, Charlie Wiederman, that met up annually for over 40 years to fish.
Richard was a man of faith. He had a strong testimony of the gospel and a great love for it as well. He served musically in the church, called to direct the ward choir.
He is survived by his dear wife of 70 years, Joyce Livingston Davis, his siblings, Marilyn Davis Twede, Diane Davis Godfrey, Julie Davis Nielson, his children Shaunna (Dan) Wozab, Loren (Debbie) Davis, Cory Boldt, Stan (Melissa) Davis. Along with 13 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Julia Elizabeth and Rulon Hawkins Davis, his brothers-in-law Lamar Twede and Dick Godfrey, and his daughter Richelle Davis Boldt.
Thank you to the Holladay 10th ward, Holladay Healthcare Center, and Tendercare Hospice.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at the Holladay 10th ward at 11am. Viewing will be prior to the service at 10am.
Service Information
Viewing November 12, 2022 at 10:00-10:45 AM
4601 S. Chapel Drive, Holladay, Utah 84117





Funeral Service
November 12, 2022 at 11:00 AM
4601 S. Chapel Drive, Holladay, Utah 84117