John Robert ' Bob' Davis
May 19, 1953 - April 21, 2021
John Robert “Bob” Davis, loving son, father, brother, friend and SANTA CLAUS passed away suddenly at the young age of 67. Born May 19, l953 in Salt Lake City, Utah, Bob was the 2nd child of 9 born to Jack & Ruby Davis. He was a graduate of Highland High School, class of l971.
Bob always lived his life on his own terms with no regrets. His adventurous spirit eventually took him to Lake Powell where he worked for Dell Webb Corporation and then for Glen Canyon Park Service. He truly loved the water, the people, the landscape, especially scuba diving though that sometimes entailed helping clients with both body and boat recovery. This he handled with the utmost professionalism and empathy.
In l980 he welcomed the light of his life, daughter Emily Rose Davis. He loved his daughter with all his heart and she him, both sharing their love of motorcycles, independence and adventure.
Bob was well known & admired for both his professional work and private causes, his favorite annual charity drive being Toys For Tots. We are sure there are many more charities he never mentioned, though helping the elderly fix their homes or whatever else they required would somehow fit into his ever expanding schedule. His favorite cause, however, was playing SANTA CLAUS annually for the past 30+ years to thousands of children.
This annual venture required both a custom fit Santa suit (lovingly handmade, repaired, and remade many times over the years by his sister, Lori), a sleigh, and occasionally a helicopter! Bob made sure each child had time to speak with him (even if the line waiting was out the door) and took each child's request and situation to heart. No child would ever go without when Bob was there to contribute. He was both humble and generous to a fault. Even when his health was at issue, he would push through and continue his cause never complaining nor faltering.
Bob is predeceased by his father, Jack Davis, sister Jill Davis Widmer, Uncle Robert Clarke Davis, Uncle Americo Bert Dalnodar, grandparents, Aunt Olga Dalnodar, Aunt Jennie Stanga, Uncle Bob Stanga and cousin Gary Stanga. He is survived by his loving daughter, Emily, his mother Ruby, and 7 siblings: Dianne (Ingo), Pat (Ron), Lisa (Mike), Lori (Joe), Bill, Jackie (Glenn), & James. Also survived by brother-in-law Scott Widmer, cousin Dr. Burt Stanga and family, numerous nieces & nephews (some of whom believe to this day that he is Santa) as well as countless friends from his childhood to present.
The Davis family would like to thank all of you for your thoughts, prayers, love and support at this time. A special thanks to Bob's much loved and extended family Mary Jewett, Rocky Pyle, and John & Lori Swendeman for being such good friends who were always there to help him in all his endeavors. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him as well as those who were simply fortunate enough to have crossed his path. Due to Covid restrictions, a celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Toys For Tots , The American Heart Association or your favorite charity.
The “Bob” and “Santa” stories continue to flow in from many different people & places. He touched so many lives by simply living his own. We were all truly blessed to have known him, loved him & lived in his world if just for a little while.
No helicopter needed, SANTA has earned his WINGS!
In Loving Memory
We were roommates back in the mid to late ‘70’s. Bob marched to a different drummer and he always kept things interesting. He put on a tough outer shell but everyone knew that inside he was just an old softie. We lost track of one another but I’ll miss you nonetheless now that you’re gone. Rest In Peace my friend. David v. Z.
Dear Family, What an amazing man! Bob and I last talked as we ran into each other in the Harbor Freight store during Christmas time. We talked about family and he told me that I needed to go see Ruby, that she would welcome me with open arms. He didn't need to tell me though, because he is so proud of who his mother is and I know that she truly would! His smile is so distinctive, as Santa's smile should be. Your family is full of love and, so of course, he and I talked about mom and family for quite sometime, until I had to finish my lunch minute and get back to work. I work for Harley-Davidson. Motorcycles could likely be his second favorite subject (family being first , of course!) He went home on the same day his cousin and my beloved Gary went home. I can imagine the reunion with his Italian family members. I see them talking about Kemmerer Wyoming and Tulio's stick and Ruby's rock. I am forever blessed for spending time with your family. I am grateful for those precious scone days and everything in between. Bob is an amazing, beautiful man because of the family he was blessed to be raised in. May God bless you all during this very difficult time. May He carry you in the palm of His mighty hand and surround you with His angels. Much love and gratefulness, Michelle
Many a fond memory of my brother of many years ago.. Always caring, always sharing, never letting life pass him by and living on his own terms. Memories of lifting his Karman Ghia (and several other vehicles ) out of the window well of our home, countless Christmas mornings, so many birthdays, hanging out with his friends and bringing home every stray dog within the salt lake area.. My fondest memory, however, was Bob giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a baby chicken when he accidentally fell into his water bowl and drowned. Truly lifeless and mostly dead, Bob gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while I used a blow dryer to dry the baby chick off. THIS just so my youngest brother Jim (who had won the chicken in a drawing in kindergarten) would not be heartbroken when he got home from school... thankfully, by the time our youngest brother arrived home, the baby chicken was up and running around. That chicken stayed with us for many years and would spend its days (much to my mothers dismay), perched high on the hanging light fixture in our family room.. in the mornings, the chicken would walk down the driveway with us on our way to school and (as if on cue) turn around and head back to the house. On occasion, an egg or two or three would miraculously be laid in the basement thus securing his position with my mother as a contributing member of the household. It was only many years later we learned that it was actually our older sister planting these eggs so that our mother would think the chicken was actually pulling his own weight! My brother always loved animals and children. They were the innocents and he was always the protector of the innocent. He spoiled my sister,Jill, (the baby of the family) from the day she was born. He absolutely adored her! She shared his love for animals and took over his favorite stuffed dog, Howard, practically from birth.. This was an ongoing joke between them as Howard would be stolen back-and-forth from time to time..His heart, as well as ours, was shattered the day she passed away. I’m sure he is reunited with her now & free of pain. We will miss him greatly! �� Fly high my brother! Give a big hug to dad and Jill! Tell them we love them and miss them! We will see you ALL on the flipside!
The Gehrke's have been life long friends with the Davis Family. We are praying and wishing you peace during this difficult time. God Bless- Shaunna and Becky Gehrke
In Loving Memory
