Obituary of Gerald William Davis

Gerald "Gerry" William Davis

(July 1, 1944 - November 19, 2022)

Gerald William Davis passed away on Saturday, November 19th, 2022 at the age of 78. Gerry was born on July 1st, 1944, to Margaret and Brian Davis of Rose Valley Saskatchewan. The youngest child of five, Gerry grew up on the family farm and attended a small one-room country school from grade two until grade nine and completed his high school in the town of Rose Valley.

Immediately after high school, Gerry started his career working for the Royal Bank of Canada in Cardston, Alberta. He was soon thereafter the recipient of a four-year scholarship from the Royal Bank to attend any university in Canada, choosing The University of Alberta, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce. Following graduation, he continued his career with the Royal Bank in Calgary, and later in Toronto, where he was promoted to the International banking division. Gerry met his loving wife Cathy in Toronto, and they married on August 9, 1975. Gerry and Cathy moved to Camrose, Alberta in 1977 where he purchased Battle River Realty (Coldwell Banker) with his brother-in-law, Dennis Johnson. They successfully ran the business for 43 years before retirement in 2018.

Gerry and Cathy started their family in 1979 with the arrival of their first son, Brock, and completed it with the arrival of their second son, Scott, in 1982. Gerry was a loving and devoted father. He supported them in whatever activities they participated in and talked to them both daily about their lives and jobs, the news headlines, as well as his beloved Oilers.  
Well-respected both as a businessman and as a leader within the community, Gerry sat on numerous boards and committees such as the Camrose Rotary Club, The Battle River Community Foundation, the Camrose Children’s Centre, and more recently the Augustana Neighbourhood Association.

A man of many passions and talents, Gerry excelled at the art of stained glass, woodworking, and gardening. He spent countless hours restoring his treasured antique engines and restoring homes. He loved fishing, camping, and being outdoors with family and friends throughout the years. Gerry’s retirement from real estate in 2018 never slowed him down, only allowing more time for all his other favorite pastimes, including morning coffee at Smitty’s, playing in a billiards league, being a member of K40 and working with his hands tinkering on numerous projects in his garage. He treasured his land in Ohaton, spending countless hours working in his famous garden, sharing the bounty with family and friends. Gerry loved traveling, especially to Florida to see his four cherished grandchildren. He would always have a picture and a story to share.

Left to cherish Gerry’s memory are his beloved wife Cathy, his two children, Brock (Yubi) Davis of Satellite Beach, Florida, and Scott Davis of Calgary, as well as his grandchildren Brian, Delilah, John and William (from Florida). He is also survived by his siblings, Clarence (Pat) Davis, Jean (Andy) Prophet, Dennis Johnson and Lorne (Linda) Davis, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws.Gerry was predeceased by his parents Margaret and Brian Davis, sister Shirley Johnson, mother- and father-in-law Marie and John Marie McCann and brother-in-law Paul McCann.

A Funeral Service was held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 24, 2022, at the Messiah Lutheran Church, 4810 - 50th Street Camrose officiated by Rev. Bev Swanson. The service was live-streamed, recorded, and accessible at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@messiahcamrose2730 

If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Gerry's memory may be made to the Battle River Community Foundation for Gerry and Cathy Davis, or to the charity of one's choice.