Roger Robert Davis Sr., 83

Roger Robert Davis Sr., passed away in his sleep Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, at his home in Osburn, Idaho. He leaves lasting memories of mountain adventures, successful hunts, mining stories, always a joke and tease, nicknames and feeding the birds.

Roger was a gypo miner for about 31 years. He began his mining career in Butte, Mont., in 1960 and moved to Idaho in 1964. He worked for the Bunker Hill Mine for 17 years and the Sunshine Mine for 10 years to end his career in the Silver Valley. He was born June 17, 1940, in Buffalo, N.Y., and moved to Butte, Mont., with his family in 1951.

If you knew Roger, you would be in for a ride whether by story, motorbike or horse, and you also knew he palled around with Evel Knievel. Roger and his family enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, and adventuring in the mountains together and accessing high mountain lakes. Throughout the years he restored numerous muscle cars. Roger was an avid patriot and consumer of American history. His love of hunting allowed him to take many trophy-class elk and deer.  He made significant donations to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and when he stopped hunting animals he started viewing and feeding them.

Roger is survived by his best friend, companion, and ex-wife, Yvonne Davis of Osburn, Idaho; his daughters and sons, Melissa Reid of St. Maries, Idaho, Roger Davis Jr. of Kingston, Idaho, Marybeth Gust-Hawkins (Aaron Hawkins), of Kellogg, Idaho, Tom Shinn (Elia Escobar) of Eldorado Hills, Calif., and Michele (John) Schroeder of Kingston, Idaho; seven grandchildren, RJ (Charlotte) Reid, Willie Crane, Brittnie (Cameron) Self, Bailey Gust, Tucker Gust, Levi Shinn and Lane Schroeder; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lois Davis; father Myron Davis; stepmother Joy Davis; previous wife Mary Lou George; son Jerry Shinn; and sister Joan Gardineer.

There will be no memorial service for Roger at this time. A celebration of life is anticipated next summer when we can all access his favorite places in the Mountains of Idaho and Montana. The family suggests memorials be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Missoula, MT., 5705 Grant Creek Road, Missoula, MT 59808.

Memories of Roger and messages of condolence may be shared with this family online at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is assisting the Davis family with arrangements.